Obama's Jobs Bill Fails to Pass in Senate

By Napp Nazworth, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Senate on Tuesday failed to move forward a modified version of the president's jobs bill. The Senate did end debate on a bill that would impose sanctions on China for currency manipulation.

With 48 senators voting “no,” the 100-member Senate failed get the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture, or end debate, on the bill.

The vote fell mostly along party lines. Two Democrats, Jon Tester (Mont.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.) joined the Republicans in voting no.

The vote was kept open until late so that Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) could return from an event in Boston to vote on the bill.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) touted the fact that, with Shaheen's vote, there would be a majority, or 51 votes, in favor of the bill. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) said, however, that while he voted to end debate on the bill he would not vote in favor of the bill on final passage.

The $446 billion package would have increased spending on infrastructure and schools, provided funding for state and local governments, and extended the payroll tax deduction.

Republicans opposed the measure and preferred to call it “stimulus two” for its similarities to the 2009 stimulus bill. Unlike the 2009 stimulus bill, however, this bill proposed to pay for the additional spending by raising additional revenue with a 5.6 percent surtax on incomes above $1 million.

One objection that Republicans had was the spending and tax cuts were temporary, but there was no sunset provision to the tax increase, so it would continue until Congress voted to end it.

They voted in favor of a bill that would impose sanctions on China for currency manipulation. On that vote, 17 Republicans joined 46 Democrats in favor. Five Democrats and 30 Republicans opposed the bill.

The Republican-led House has already said they would not bring Obama's jobs bill up for a vote, but may vote separately on parts of the bill that they favor.

On the China currency bill, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said they would not take up the legislation until they hear where President Obama stands on the bill. Obama has not taken a clear position on the bill.