Senate passes jobs bill

The U.S. Senate passed the $15 billion jobs bill today with a bipartisan vote of 70-28. The bill, which was approved for a vote on Monday, provides tax breaks for hiring the jobless, funding for new highway and transit programs, and extends a tax break for businesses that spend on long-term investments (such as equipment purchases). A major difference between this bill and the $154 billion bill that the House passed last year is that this scaled-down version does not contain an extension for unemployment benefits or the COBRA health insurance subsidy. Several Republicans, including Scott Brown of Massachusetts, joined with the Democrats in voting for this bill. Said Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer of California, “Today, jobs triumphed over politics.” I'm glad that these Senators finally put aside their differences and actually passed something. This is like a breath of fresh air on a crisp spring day beside a babbling brook exposed to dappled light from the gentle encroachment of just-budding willows and wild columbines. In other words, it's the first time in a long while that we have seen the Senate work together. It is significant, however, that COBRA was not extended, as this deals with the ongoing health care debate. If these Senators were unwilling to extend COBRA, I find it unlikely that they will support a giant, comprehensive health care plan. Read more at http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/24/senate.jobs.bill/index.html?hpt=Sbin. Think spring.