Senate vs Obama
US Senate Republicans block Obama’s infrastructure construction plan
The US Senate blocked President Obama’s proposal to boost construction on roads, bridges and other infrastructure as Democrats and Republicans escalated their fight over President Barack Obama’s US$447-B jobs plan.
The Senate voted 51-49, short of the 60 needed to begin debate, on a Democratic measure to provide US$60-B for construction work and an “infrastructure bank” to leverage capital for more projects. It would have been financed by a 0.7 percent tax surcharge on Millionaires.
“One hundred percent of Senate Republicans said no” to the proposal, Mr. Obama said in a statement. Americans deserve to know why Republicans “refuse to put some of the workers hit hardest by the economic downturn back on the job rebuilding America,” he said.
The bill needed 60 votes to proceed to debate in a chamber where Democrats have 53 votes to 47 for the Republicans. The fight over job creation is a Key issue in the Y 2012 Presidential and Legislative race.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, accused Senator McConnell of working to stymie Mr. Obama’s agenda for political advantage while protecting wealthier taxpayers who might be subjected to the surtax under the President’s plan.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican said Democrats are advancing ideas that amount to a “campaign speech” because they cannot get enough support for their agendas.
Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr.
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