Skip to content

House Approves Tweaked Senate Jobs Bill

The House on Thursday narrowly passed, 217-201, a $17.6 billion amended version of the Senate jobs package.

House Democratic leaders were forced to make several adjustments to the Senate plan to appease various factions of their Caucus.

In response to concerns from fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, the House package was fully offset. It also includes a proposal backed by the Congressional Black Caucus that directs states to allocate some of the transportation funds to “minority-owned contractors,” according to a Democratic aide.

Even with the changes, 35 Democrats — many who believed that the bill didn’t do enough to reverse the nation’s jobless rate — voted against the bill.

Supporters of the package argue it would create jobs by offering critical incentives for small businesses to hire new employees. It also includes expense deductions for small businesses, extends the Highway Trust Fund and provides funding for the Build America Bonds program.

The changes will send the bill back to the Senate.

Recent Stories

Adelita Grijalva wins Democratic primary for late father’s seat in Arizona

GOP narrowly advances rescissions package to Senate floor

Crypto, Defense bills back on track after Oval Office talk

Trump touts billions for Pennsylvania energy, AI sectors while jabbing at Biden

GOP spending bills run into intraparty friction in House

House subcommittee advances NIL framework for college sports