On October 20, 2011, the U.S. Senate voted on one provision of President Obama's Job Creation Plan. It was a provision that, on the surface, was non - controversial. Any reasonable, non - partisan person would expect it to pass the Senate unanimously or almost unanimously. But the bill did not pass. It would have passed on a straight up - or - down vote but the Republicans filibustered the bill thereby requiring 60 yea votes instead of 51.
A Description of the Bill
The purpose of the bill was to enable cities and states to rehire workers who had been terminated. The preponderance of these workers are teachers, police officers and firemen. Since Barack Obama became president, over one - half million government workers have joined the ranks of the unemployed. Approximately 400,000 of these government workers were teachers. Passage of the act into law would create positive things for society and for the nation's economy. Instead of the federal government paying unemployment benefits to over one - half million unemployed government workers, the newly employed would receive paychecks and be paying taxes thereby reducing the deficit. Further, they will spend more, aiding the economy and it my save some of their homes from foreclosure. Most importantly, the country's education system will be vastly improved with the return of 400,000 teachers to the classroom instead of the unemployment line.
Paying For the Plan
This one important provision of Obama's Job Creation Law would clearly be beneficial for the education system, public safety and the economy. The critical question is how will the plan be paid for. The administration developed a plan to raise the required funds without hardship to the country's taxpayers. The money would be obtained from individuals whose income is over one million dollars. There would be no tax increase on the first million dollars. The tax rate on all income over one million dollars would be increased by 0.5 percent. For example, a person earning exactly one million dollars would not have any increase on his taxes. A person earning $1,100,000 would pay an additional tax on $100,000 which would be $500.
The Vote in the U.S. Senate
On October 20th, the United States Senate voted on the one provision of the Job Creation Bill. The vote was not an up or down vote but was filibustered by the Republicans. Therefore, instead of the normal 51 votes, 60 votes were required for passage. Of 47 Republican Senators, exactly 47 voted nay. Of 53 Democratic Senators, 50 voted yea and 3 voted nay so the total vote was 50 - 50 and failed. If the Republicans had not filibustered, Vice - President Joe Biden would have cast the deciding vote and the bill would have passed. The President challenged the Republicans to explain their nay vote. The author is unaware of any Republican doing so.
Raymond Spungin - I have analyzed the New York City metropolitan area for 33 years professionally. I was the author of many widely - read economic reports. ...
