Federal Jobs Bill Faces Senate Vote Today

A $15 billion jobs package bill, the “Jobs for Main Street Act” will face a vote today in the U.S. Senate. The bill includes tax breaks for companies that hire unemployed workers and for small businesses that purchase new equipment. The bill also includes language which will renew the Highway Trust Fund and help state and local government finance infrastructure projects.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid must secure two Republican votes in order to prevent a filibuster on the measure. The Democrats hold 59 votes in the Senate. Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey learned last week that he has stomach cancer and is not expected to be in attendance for today’s vote. It is believed that moderate Republicans Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine may support the bill.