Senate Democrats have scrapped a bipartisan jobs bill after Republicans stuffed it with such provisions as loans to chicken producers, aid to catfish farmers, an extension of several parts of the Patriot Act, and other unrelated items.
Instead, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is offering the Senate a pared-back jobs bill containing only provisions aimed at helping unemployment, such as tax breaks for companies that hire unemployed workers and for small businesses.
"Our side isn´t sure that the Republicans are real interested in developing good policy and to move forward together," said Sen. Thomas Carper of Delaware. "Instead, they are more inclined to play rope-a-dope again. My own view is, let´s test them."http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=8287...
Senate Democrats Ax Bipartisan Jobs Bill
The bigger bill got a decidedly mixed reception at a luncheon meeting of Democrats, many of whom were uncomfortable with supporting a bill containing so many provisions unrelated to creating jobs, including loans for chicken producers and aid to catfish farmers.
The provisions also included a $31 billion package of tax breaks for individuals and businesses, an extension of several parts of the USA Patriot Act and higher payments for doctors facing Medicare payment cuts.
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http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/...