Job-creation bill could fail in Senate

[OhioChick]

20 Feb 2010, 0458 hrs IST, REUTERS

WASHINGTON: A job-creation bill could be headed for defeat in the Senate next week, lawmakers and aides said on Friday, as key Republicans have withdrawn support for what was supposed to be a relatively noncontroversial measure.

The measure's uncertain fate highlighted the partisan rancor that threatens even relatively modest measures like the jobs bill, which aims to reduce the nation's 9.7 percent unemployment rate before the November congressional elections.

A defeat could be embarrassing for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has struggled to hold his Democrats together on high-priority legislation like healthcare reform over the past year, and is sure to frustrate President Barack Obama, who has called for increased bipartisanship.

Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress say job creation is their top priority this year.

A defeat could also help Democrats paint Republicans as "the party of 'no,'" more concerned with blocking Democratic initiatives than helping to blunt the impact of the deepest recession in 70 years.

Reid is expected to go ahead with the vote on Monday evening, even though he has not yet secured the 60 votes needed to clear a procedural hurdle, an aide said.

More: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/Job-creation-bill-could-fail-in-Senate/articleshow/5595212.cms

[alstephenson]

1. "which aims to reduce the nation's unemployment rate....

...before the November congressional elections." Yeah, like that's the only reason the President or the Senate would want to reduce unemployment. Yeah, like it's not the Republicans that are being obstructionists. Yeah, right.

[eleny]

2. Ah, "The Tarantino", huh?

:grr: