Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Legislation aimed at improving the sluggish employment situation in the U.S. has been met with bipartisan support and should not experience difficulty getting through the Senate, said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

Joined by Senators Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) at a press briefing Monday, the trio emphasized that the provisions in the jobs bill have seen strong support from both sides of the aisle.

“It’s a good start,” Senator Cardin said. “Leaders particularly picked those provisions that enjoy strong bipartisan support.”

Employer tax credits for new hires, the extension of the Highway Trust Fund, higher tax refunds for small businesses and the Build America Bonds program are key provisions of the bill, according to the three Senate Democrats. They added that the legislation seeks to maintain and create 1.3 million jobs for Americans.

“Each of these provisions has established bipartisan support and at this point, there is no reason beyond politics to obstruct any of these measures,” Whitehouse said.

The three agreed that these provisions serve as a first step in the right direction, but at the same time acknowledged that more needs to be done.

“[This] is a group of four ideas with broad bipartisan support, and then there will be another package a few weeks from now, and then another package,” Merkley said. “This way, we can end the paralysis that has been so deadly in the dialogue in this city.”