Reid calls Monday vote on phantom jobs bill
EmailABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: Democrats seem to have learned their lesson with the intricately thought-out, thousand page, trillion dollar bills that Republicans have so effectively picked apart. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced this morning at a press conference that there will be a vote in the Senate on Monday on a “jobs bill.” It would be a procedural vote to start debating the bill. The problem is, nobody has yet written one down. And reporters at Reid’s press conference, called to announce a new “jobs agenda,” were given an impressive-looking packet with a cover sheet that reads “Democratic Jobs Agenda” with the sub-headline “Putting America Back to Work.” But underneath the cover page is 2.5 pages of bullet-point ideas with no specifics. Read the report HERE. It is true that many of the ideas have bipartisan support. For instance, the first one lists is a tax credit for employers who add new employees. But there is division about the specifics of that proposal. Here's one bipartisan proposal from Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. It would be targeted at small businesses who hire employees that have long been out of work. There are other, similar proposals. Here’s a more generous iteration of a new jobs tax credit from Democrats. Reid predicted there will be a bipartisan press conference Thursday or Friday to unveil a bipartisan bill. But that leaves scant time to craft legislative language, generate an official cost estimate, or have a floor debate. Reid was asked by a reporter if his caucus is in disarray, feuding with House Democrats over process, and stymied by an inability to overcome Republican obstruction. “You’re imagining a lot of things that don’t exist,” he told the reporter.
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Looks as if the Dems have finally learned their lessons. Why give the GOP time to pick every detail apart? Lay out a broad bipartisan proposal and then hold it against any Republicans who oppose it.
Posted by: matt | February 4, 2010, 10:53 am 10:53 am
Why hasnt anybody asked why are we having another stimulus bill when they havent even spent all the money from the first one? These idiots just keep on going more in debt and continue spending while obama tells us we need to tighten our belts. Its time to reject all his spending bills and have him tighten his own belt!
Posted by: Stanley | February 4, 2010, 10:55 am 10:55 am
You get more information on the contents of an over-the-counter laxative than you do with any Democratic legislation these days. Wonder why that is? They both do the same thing.
Posted by: wantingbalance | February 4, 2010, 11:40 am 11:40 am
How can anyone take this old fool seriously? Reid and Pelosi have done more to hurt our country than we will ever know this past 4 years. His approach to government is un-American. Who does Pelosi and Reid think they are excluding Republicans from the process? They are not just excluding Republican Senators but the Millions of Americans who sent them to Washington to represent their views. Views they apparently have no interest in.
It would be just as bad if Republicans excluded Democrats. But I blame the President for this could not happen without his consent. The man lied to us all (Obama) he thinks we are all stupid; he will be a one term president. One term too many! I thought No one could be worst than Jimmy Carter but Obama has him beat.
The sad thing is Obama will have secret service the rest of his life at cost that has to paid by all of us. He has done nothing to earn it. What a shame for Black people to have this guy be the first black president. There are many Black Americans like Colin Powell who would have been superior to this loser.
Obama conned has all, what amazes me most is his arrogance
Posted by: a citizen | February 4, 2010, 11:55 am 11:55 am
The Bush stimulus, teh Obama stimulus are not working to create lasting economic gains. why are we wanting to throw good money (that we borrow from China) to throw at the problem.
With greater borrowign and the PRC leadership already upset of Taiwan and the currency bashing talk out of the WH, are going to demand higher rates of return on the treasury debt they finance.
We need to QUIT SPENDING money we do not have!! Fix Social security and Medicare time bombs!
Posted by: scott jeffries | February 4, 2010, 11:57 am 11:57 am
Another waste of time and money,with no specifics and it would cost billions to implement,along with the fact they will have no way to gage jobs created or saved,like the Stimulis bill, why bother? When are they going to stop spending? Damn fools.
Posted by: stormerF2 | February 4, 2010, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
Why bother. The republicans won’t work to support it anyway and as always nothing will get done.
Posted by: Jackson | February 4, 2010, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
Maybe they could debate the 2.5 million dollar census super bowl ad. What idiot thought of that one
Posted by: jamescbuilder | February 4, 2010, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
“”"”"Lay out a broad bipartisan proposal and then hold it against any Republicans who oppose it.”"”"”"
Posted by: matt
Are you suggesting that a true bi-partisan bill will be accepted by ALL Dems?
Posted by: lfrichar | February 4, 2010, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
the dems have not learned they’re lesson. If they had, they would be lowering taxes on businesses, rather than throwing more chinese money at them.
Posted by: StarveTheBeast | February 4, 2010, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
matt as it siad with no specifics? So yeah lets vote on nothing to get nothing. Just like health care
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 4, 2010, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
As the United States crumbles into self-afflicted ruin, it may finally be the moment to realize neither party will save us. They are two sides of the same counterfeit coin. For obvious reasons, (to everyone but our leaders) spending more money we do not have will lead to nothing but more of what we now have– bureaucracy, taxation, inflation, and unemployment. This has invariably been the result when government “steps in to help.” If they were smart, there would be immediate emergency cuts to every federal program– expecially defense– at rates equal to or greater than the income reduction Americans have suffered. Lobbyists would be banned from Washington, and the Federal Reserve would be disbanded. But since our leaders are neither smart, capable nor honest, things will continue to progress from bad to worse. This would be a good time to roll your 401K into precious metals, or cash out entirely and buy commodities. Or get a comfortable pair of shoes to stand in the soup lines.
Posted by: h5mind | February 4, 2010, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
We are borrowing money from China to give away,now isn’t that something.The Democrats can’t tax us fast enough to keep up with their entitlement spending.
The phantom jobs bill ,I hope it’s not like the phantom Stimulus bill filled with Democratic pork.
Posted by: Johnny L | February 4, 2010, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
If they want to create jobs throw up trade walls and bar any products from 3rd world countries from entering the US without taxing them to the level that makes them comparable in price to products that are still made here. Then we will have some real supply and demand. No more taking advantage of economic desperation. Better than that if you want to sell it here you have to make it here or be taxed!
Posted by: rightbehind | February 4, 2010, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
“House Democrats… stymied by an inability to overcome Republican obstruction.” — Huh?? — Stop believing the “soundbites” people — the Dems spent 12 months trying to pass healthcare reform, and only argued among themselves!!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 4, 2010, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
Reid needs the republicans. Half his democrats will vote against the bill anyway. What a confused bunch these democrats are. Democrats–the party of who knows what!
Posted by: jonny | February 4, 2010, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
Reid is trying to get this done this morning before Scott Brown is sworn in this afternoon.
Posted by: Mike Jones | February 4, 2010, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
matt, so, the lesson learned is to use even more subterfuge? use vagueries in legislation to make the other side look bad? yeah, that sure sounds like a good idea and certainly would make the democrats look more serious. with this kind of advice, the democrats are sure to lose control of congress in 2010. bottom line is that childish behavior is not the cure for childish behavior.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | February 4, 2010, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
matt, forgot to ask…how would it be a “bipartisan” bill if the republicans immediately opposed it? you betray the fact that you apparently believe that one side can be bipartisan…that makes no sense. but it does expose the pelosi rule…”bipartisan” means i came up with it and you agree to it.
Posted by: davidfrat21 | February 4, 2010, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
Too bad Reid has no idea how to serve the people, instead of being a yes man to Obama.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | February 4, 2010, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
80% of ALL new jobs are created by “small business” —- If Obama made the promise today… “I will not sign any legislation that increases any tax or puts any new regulations on SMALL businesses” — Hiring would begin again WITHOUT a new stimulus!!
Posted by: TheLoyalOpposition | February 4, 2010, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
They’ll NEVER get it. Period. Worst administration and congress EVER!
Posted by: RhinoSquid | February 4, 2010, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
The crooks have passed the budget bill that will kill us all. Thanks and goodbye to your jobs dems
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 4, 2010, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
Thye market is on a down hill drop. The feds pas 1.9 trillion debt just a bit ago. Man maybe we should all cash in and hold on to whats left?
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 4, 2010, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
Hasn’t Reid been voted out yet? It just keeps getting more ridiculous.
Posted by: Pat | February 4, 2010, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Okay does anyone have a problem with the fact that we are in the midst of an economic disaster? So its okay to announce a JOBS BILL and outline a time line, giving no details to the public, and without a cost effective analysis to boot… Well lets see that sounds very much like a swift boat attack, a sucker punch perhaps but do these tactics show an out stretched hand offered in the spirit of bipartisanship? Americans see through this… The Democrats may have some justifiable issues with the mess they inherited a year ago but the Republicans are not harming your cause nearly as much as yourselves…Since I am an Independent and trust me I never thought I would say this but you guys are making yourselves look worse than the one you are constantly assigning blame too. I never thought that I would miss the Bush Administration and say you know they really weren’t that bad, and at least they were effective. They may not have governed as we wanted but at least they governed…
Posted by: Justice4All | February 4, 2010, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
Matt I am kinda glad someone or some party is taking the time to PICK aprt the bills. Espeacialy with Pelosi and Reid being involved. That is one of the reasons they are there to represent us and to make sure they understand a bill word for word. You sound as if you buy your cars and sign your name on the contract and afterwards you wait for the salesman or woman to come out and tell you what came with the car. Hope it had wheels and an engine?
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 4, 2010, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
For those that are complaining about not getting bipartisan support, you had a super majority for 11 months. You could have passed anything you wanted. If it was as good as advertised you could have held it against the GOP for years as not willing to support a program that worked. The best thing the Dems do is complain, not govern.
Posted by: west coast ram | February 4, 2010, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
Just great dumbocrats. Your last porkulus has done nothing but raise unemployment, and taxes. Now you have the brainy idea that just give us money and we will fix it. #1 Government can not and never has supply, or create meaningful employment. #2 two wrongs do not make a right. or Continually making the same mistake with the same outcome is idiotic. #3 Dumbocrats did not learn a thing. They are about to! Bring on November. Vote these tax and spend dumbocrats back to under the rock they crawled out from under.
Posted by: Todd | February 4, 2010, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
The GOP had better filibuster until they have a real bill to look at. I hope they don’t let it go through just because it has ‘jobs’ in it and give up the practical use of a filibuster.
Oh wait… is the timing because Brown isn’t sworn in yet?
Dems aren’t too bright. Do they really think this will do anything but add to the size of their pyre come November?
Posted by: s | February 4, 2010, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
Reid wants to “throw something” together and get the Repubs. in on it so if looks too stupid or “out of this world” too costly he can say “they agreed on it” and will have someone else to take the blame. After being shut out of these closed door deals and pay offs, I would be careful if I was brought in on their schemes-if I was a Republican dealing with them now.!!!
Posted by: TXAR.55 | February 4, 2010, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
I don’t like either major party, but I have another point of view. First, I think this method is worth trying. Debate it while it is small so the public knows what is being included and both parties have input. It sounds a lot better than having bills in committees for months and getting to a thousand pages with lots of pork hidden away. Second, I think it is good that the democrats argue among themselves. I like that much better than the republicans always voting the same way. I wish both parties disagreed internally more.
Posted by: MikeMo1947 | February 4, 2010, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
How can you pick ‘employees that have long been out of work’ over say those who’ve only been out of work a week or month or year? Those who choose to linger as unemployed for a ‘long time’ might not be such good employees. This govt is incapable of simply setting business free.
Posted by: bluecollarbytes | February 4, 2010, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
The only lesson the Democrats have learned is to not depend on the Republicans to do what’s right by the American people.
Posted by: justayreal74 | February 4, 2010, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
I have come to the conclusion that only Tax reform will solve our problem— Fact 52% of Americans pay Zero income tax—-
Millions of Companies and Individuals are offshored to avoid tax– The GOP and Dems are Both Spendocrats– The Founding Fathers proposed a Govt. Run by Tariffs not taxes– since we are bleeding cash in exports its time to rethink the revenue stream– Either a Fair Tax or tariffs or both but 52% not paying anything is untenable and unfair to all—
Posted by: brian | February 4, 2010, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
Reid is nothing but Obama’s little lap dog. He wags his tail on command. I so regret voting for them. And how could I have been so gullible as to believe the empty suit that Obama has turned out to be.
Posted by: Rachel | February 4, 2010, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
What a joke!!! The Democratic Congress must go for the welfare of America.
Obama, Reid, and Pelosi have routinely rammed pork laden and irresponsible spending bills through giving people no time to read them. And this is from a guy(Obama) who promised the greatest transparency ever? Unemployment was at 4.6% in 2006. Now, three years into Obama’s Democratic Congress, it is at 10%(and oh by the way new jobless claims rose today more than expected—and that news is nowhere to be found on ABC’s website).
Posted by: ConstantXI | February 4, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Mr. reid. It is reported today that the Premier of Canada is getting his heart surgery done in the United States of America. Mr. reid does that not tell you that the health care in Canada is in no way a comparable to America? And that we have the best care in the world??? Mr. reid you have been wrong and just wanting your party to control evryone and yes I will say it. Control the poor and how they vote.
Posted by: Jim Rod | February 4, 2010, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
$3.5 trillion for FY10 annual budget and $400B still left in “stimulus”. So we need another bill with little detail. People who defend these actions are just kool-aid drinking ideologues and clueless to large debt impact on the poor and middle class. Has either party ever managed your money well?
Posted by: Gwen | February 4, 2010, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
This is no deal $5,000 per new hire – and they know it – just like the housing refi bill to help home owners that no body gets.
Just a nothing bill – jobs bill that will help almost no one.
Posted by: a citizen | February 4, 2010, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
this is exactly what one can expect from the democrats in the congress; vote on a bill that is not yet written and add the pork and price after voting for it. Sounds like change to me.
Hope all the goons that voted for this jerk feel the constraints of unemployment and all that goes with unemployment. Maybe next time they vote, they will get the stars out of their eyes and vote intelligently.
Posted by: jmjeanettemjean | February 4, 2010, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
NOW they focus on jobs and “bipartisanship”: After 7 months of stonewalling… that’s like slapping your wife around for 6 months and then complaining because she’s no longer talking to you.
Posted by: Cindy Merrill | February 4, 2010, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
Anybody who votes for this bill needs to be kicked out of office. They have spent enough of our money with negative results. Time to cut our loses and stop all these spending bills.
Posted by: Stanley | February 4, 2010, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
If you really want to get spooked, click on the report above and actually look at the language in the 2.5 pages. Can you even imagine the grade a high school student would get handing that in to his teacher as an assignment? The games being played in Washington are an affront to every American.
Posted by: cindy | February 4, 2010, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
We need new jobs, less spending, better homeland security, etc. — We do not want government-run health care!
Obama’s idea of bipartisanship is agreeing with him. On many issues, Republicans don’t and, more and more, independents don’t either. Conservative Americans do not want what Obama is selling and; hopefully, the Republicans won’t give him any votes.
The Democrats have controlled Congress since 2007. It’s time for a change!
Posted by: PROUD AMERICAN | February 4, 2010, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
The Democratic CONGRESS IS like a dis functional family….
Aunt Nancy has a the Hammer in her hand and the rest of the world better watch out.
Uncle Harry is so goofy the rest of the family won’t sit near him.
And cousin Barry, must of got hit by a surf board one too many times to know what he is here for!
HEY DUDE, WHERE’s MY COUNTRY?
Posted by: Tad in Arizona | February 4, 2010, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm
On Second thought, wouldn’t it be better if the current government just kept hiding the real unemployment figures like they did with the 800,000 “mistake” that just came up during the report on this week’s job’s report. It would be a heck of a lot less expensive.
Posted by: wantingbalance | February 4, 2010, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
They just don’t get it…
Offering a “credit” to hire when no one is buying is FOOLISH! As a 2 time business Starter/Owner, the current FEAR-UNCERTAINY and CLEAR LACK OF DIRECTION of the current Obama-Reid-Pelosi “agenda” are killing any investment and JOB growth.
I would NEVER expand or start a business in this environment…PERIOD!
WE have NO idea what ignorant “policy” is coming next.
I suppose having run a Business, Hamlet, Town, City, State might be a GOOD prelude to RUNNING AN ENTIRE COUNTRY?
What WERE you people thinking???
Posted by: Chris Petty | February 4, 2010, 11:39 pm 11:39 pm
I’m sure the phantom jobs bill will create a phantom recovery.
Posted by: Rasputin3.14 | February 5, 2010, 7:31 am 7:31 am
More bull—- from the left only the suck up media and dems will believe this B/S
Posted by: Daniel | February 5, 2010, 7:35 am 7:35 am
What is with the ‘bipartisan’ when the democrats have the super majorities to pass any legislation they wanted. The republicans couldn’t filibuster. Nothing. And all the news was about the ‘blue dog’ democrats -not the republicans – busting the bills.
I am cracking up laughing that after saving up for 30 years to have a liberal super majority, they got virtually NOTHING done, and soon will have to go back to their cages for another 30 years.
Its embarrassing for them. Lol.
Posted by: enima | February 5, 2010, 7:48 am 7:48 am