Reid pushes ‘job-creating’ bill, chides Republicans for ‘obstructionism’

A procedural vote Tuesday afternoon on “job-creating” legislation will test whether Republicans care more about their “right-wing ideology” or employment for out-of-work Americans, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said from the Senate floor.

The procedural vote will determine whether or not debate on the Public Works and Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding bill can be limited and a vote on passage scheduled. 

{mosads}The future of the legislation became uncertain last week when Republicans weighed the bill down with nearly 100 requests for amendments, many of which were non-germane to the bill’s underlying language. 

“The American people need jobs,” Reid said Tuesday. “If Republicans block another jobs bill … it will be clear that they are more interested in right-wing ideology than creating much-needed employment.”

On Monday, Reid read a list of several amendments Republicans have called up that included a wide array of topics such as immigration reform, E-Verify, the estate tax, right-to-work laws, gainful employment regulation, endangered species and light bulbs.

Reid said the fact that only one amendment actually deals with EDA was an indicator that Republicans don’t actually care about job creation.

In contrast, Democrats have made it their priority and will continue to fight to create employment, Reid said.

“Americans have been very clear: job creation is their No. 1 priority,” said Reid. “Democrats share that priority. Republicans don’t. We will never stop bringing jobs bills to the floor and we will never stop fighting the other side’s obstructionism to try to get them passed.”