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Capitol View®
Brett Neely

Kline defends proposed retiree benefit cuts

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Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline is defending a measure he co-authored in the latest government spending bill that would allow some pension funds to cut benefits for retirees.

The proposal primarily affects union pension funds in financial trouble and was written with California Democrat George Miller.

Some unions and retirees are upset by the provision but in a speech on the House floor, Kline said it's better for pension benefits to be cut rather than see the pension funds fail.

"We have a choice between an ax in the hands of a first year med student or a scalpel in the hand of a trusted surgeon," Kline said. "This isn't easy. No matter what happens, retirees will face some difficult hardships."

The spending bill that the measure is attached to is in trouble. Many Democrats and some Republicans are upset by a number of provisions in the legislation and have vowed to oppose it. If the bill doesn't pass by midnight, the federal government will have to shut down.