World

Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) sides with Democrats on bill

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | February 22, 2010 at 08:33 pm

342 views | 10 Recommendations | 1 comment

New Senator breaks ranks and joins Democrats in job creation bill backing

Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) joined 55 Democrats in approving a bill which can now be voted on later in the week.

Brown's victory in Massachusetts gave the GOP enough seat power to block Democratic legislation, causing the Democrats to call for increased bipartisanship.

The bill - a tax cut and highway spending plan for jobs creation - was originally drafted with Republican input, but key GOP members backed away from it and it seemed unlikely to pass.

Brown certainly has pragmatism which is badly needed in Washington now. And this pragmatic spirit he possesses in abundance, makes his MA victory a bit different than the GOP may have envisioned. Read "Why Scott Brown illustrates the dilemma of Republicans".

Obama called the vote an "important step forward" and vowed to work with both major parties to pass legislation.
"The American people want to see Washington put aside partisan differences and make progress on jobs," he said.

Brown said the bill was not perfect but would help put people back to work.

"I hope my vote today is a strong step toward restoring bipartisanship in Washington," he said in a statement.

The bill includes a tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed workers, subsidies for state and local construction bonds and money to shore up a highway-construction fund.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

stejeb

at 15:40 on February 23rd, 2010

It's a step in the right direction for America, if they could all put party differences aside, and think about what is best for the country, this would happen a lot more often, and maybe a light would be visible at the end of the tunnel.