Two Independents and 13 Republicans cross the metaphorical Rubicon
Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D), hailed it as “investing in America.” After a 70-28 vote in the Senate, the $ 15 billion Democratic jobs bill to stimulate job creation has passed with 55 Democrats, 13 Republicans and two Independents saying yes. Taking how strapped many Americans are for cash, and how many more people are running for pay day loans, $ 15 billion is somewhat “modest in scope” as the New York Times puts it.
What will the jobs bill do?
Our recent coverage of the jobs bill referenced Fox News, which broke down the $ 15 billion bill into $ 13 billion in payroll tax breaks for employers who start hiring workers unemployed for 60 days or more; $ 35 million for “small business depreciation”; $ 2 billion for infrastructure bonds; and a highway bill extension.
The bipartisan support might mean the bill will quickly pass through the House
This is turn would mean that the jobs bill gets to the president’s desk quickly. The only way Americans will be able to stimulate the economy long-term is if they are employed, so the current jobs bill comes at just the right time.
The newly elected Senator Brown, the Republican from Massachusetts, who attained office amid controversy, was integral in passing the jobs bill in the Senate. He acknowledges the jobs bill isn’t perfect, but understands its importance in getting some of the unemployed back to work. If the House were to pass a version “full of pork, waste, fraud and abuse,” Brown relayed to the Times, he would vote it down. That’s the kind of “progressive Republican” that makes Glenn Beck’s flesh crawl.
Harry Reid is happy about the result
“We have a jobs agenda, not a jobs bill,” the Senate majority leader told the media. “We’re going to have more votes, and create more jobs.”
At this point, any opportunity – from astrophysicist to payday lender – is a good opportunity.
