Something everyone agrees on

It doesn't happen every day that the Senate passes a bill that all four Ohio and Kentucky senators – three are Republicans and one is a Democrat – not only vote in favor of, but are all co-sponsors on the same legislation.

The bill? It's the America COMPETES Act, which contains several measures designed to improve math and science education in the United States.

“Too few students are entering careers in math and science, and it is affecting our competitiveness in the global arena,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Lorain in northern Ohio. “This legislation gets to the root of the problem by enhancing educational opportunities in the math and sciences.”

Sen. George Voinovich, a Cleveland Republican, said that as he's traveled Ohio, it's become clear to him that the economic framework the U.S. needs to be renewed.

“It is government’s responsibility to provide the best infrastructure so that the American economy can compete in the global marketplace,” he said.

Said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Louisville: “This bill received broad bipartisan support because it is an investment in our children, our schools and in the future of America. Our two parties’ cooperation in passing this legislation shows us how we can and should work together to accomplish important things for the American people.”

Sen. Jim Bunning, a Republican from Southgate, also co-sponsored the bill and voted for it.

The bill passed late Wednesday on a vote of 88-8 with four senators not voting.