Issa calls Gov. Scott Walker to testify

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) will head to Capitol Hill Thursday to talk about his battle with public-sector unions.

Walker is scheduled to testify that morning at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on state and local government debt. 

Walker became a hero for conservatives and enemy No. 1 of labor after pushing through legislation to end collective bargaining rights for some public unions.

“Rather than kick the can down the road in Wisconsin, Governor Walker’s actions to cut spending and address over-compensation of public employees are putting his state government in a stronger financial position,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the panel, in a statement. “The committee looks forward to hearing from Governor Walker about the challenge ahead and the tough choices leaders at all levels of government must make to get control of our debt and spending problems.”

After a lengthy standoff earlier this year with pro-labor protesters and Democrats, Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature were able to pass legislation ending collective bargaining rights for some public-sector workers. However, the implementation of the bill has been held up in court.

Walker has seen his popularity slip in opinion polls after the fight with unions.