SENATOR COLLINS' STATEMENT ON SENATE JOBS BILL
U.S. Senator Susan Collins tonight released this statement following the Senate vote on the President's jobs bill.
"The American people are justifiably frustrated. They are frustrated that our nation's unemployment rate remains above nine percent. They are frustrated that people who want to work can't find jobs. Those who have jobs are frustrated that they are working harder and harder, yet personal incomes declined in August for the first time in two years. Most of all, they are frustrated that Washington can't set aside the partisan bickering long enough to agree on a realistic path forward to spur job creation and boost our economy.
"We need to listen to the American people and work to reach consensus on a package of bills that will help employers create and preserve jobs. Yet, rather than working together to reach consensus on a plan that could truly make a difference, the Senate is once again voting on legislation designed not to help struggling Americans, but instead to score political points. This isn't legislating; it is political theater. Americans have had enough.
"The bill considered today has some elements that could garner overwhelming bipartisan support such as a payroll tax deduction for employees and employers. It would also provide tax incentives to encourage the hiring of our veterans, another good idea. We should consider and pass these and other proposals on which there is agreement. Instead, we are once again faced with a "take it or leave it" proposition.
"When it became clear that the President's original plan couldn't even generate sufficient Democratic support, it was changed. Now, to win the votes of some Senators, the new bill maintains sweetheart tax breaks for the five biggest oil and gas companies-even though the President proposed eliminating them. I have voted repeatedly to eliminate these tax breaks.
"We should tackle comprehensive tax reform, invest in roads and bridges and other infrastructure projects, strengthen job training programs, and take a "time out" from costly new government regulations.
"It is past time for Democrats and Republicans to come together as Americans first and debate a serious solution to our economic troubles."
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"The American people are justifiably frustrated. They are frustrated that our nation's unemployment rate remains above nine percent. They are frustrated that people who want to work can't find jobs. Those who have jobs are frustrated that they are working harder and harder, yet personal incomes declined in August for the first time in two years. Most of all, they are frustrated that Washington can't set aside the partisan bickering long enough to agree on a realistic path forward to spur job creation and boost our economy.
"We need to listen to the American people and work to reach consensus on a package of bills that will help employers create and preserve jobs. Yet, rather than working together to reach consensus on a plan that could truly make a difference, the Senate is once again voting on legislation designed not to help struggling Americans, but instead to score political points. This isn't legislating; it is political theater. Americans have had enough.
"The bill considered today has some elements that could garner overwhelming bipartisan support such as a payroll tax deduction for employees and employers. It would also provide tax incentives to encourage the hiring of our veterans, another good idea. We should consider and pass these and other proposals on which there is agreement. Instead, we are once again faced with a "take it or leave it" proposition.
"When it became clear that the President's original plan couldn't even generate sufficient Democratic support, it was changed. Now, to win the votes of some Senators, the new bill maintains sweetheart tax breaks for the five biggest oil and gas companies-even though the President proposed eliminating them. I have voted repeatedly to eliminate these tax breaks.
"We should tackle comprehensive tax reform, invest in roads and bridges and other infrastructure projects, strengthen job training programs, and take a "time out" from costly new government regulations.
"It is past time for Democrats and Republicans to come together as Americans first and debate a serious solution to our economic troubles."
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