Indiana's U.S. Senators Say Bipartisan Efforts Are Key This Session

Both of Indiana’s U.S. Senators say Congress must work this session to build strong bipartisan support.

Republican Dan Coats is back in the majority after the GOP recaptured the Senate.  But he says that doesn’t mean his party can relegate Democrats. He says the first priorities of the new session should be bipartisan efforts.

“If we’re going to get the President to sign a bill, it needs to have Democrat names on it,” Coats said.

Coats says that includes a bill pushing forward the Keystone Pipeline and efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s medical device tax. 

Democrat Joe Donnelly says he’s spoken with newly-minted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about working together.

“You bring solid legislation that makes sense for our country, that creates jobs, creates opportunity, lowers the deficit, I’m with you every step of the way,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly’s first major bill of the session, redefining a full-time work week under the ACA, is cosponsored with Maine Republican Susan Collins.