House Democrats seek $40 billion in defense bill for jobs
WASHINGTON - Massachusetts Representative Michael E. Capuano and other House Democrats are drafting an amendment to a defense spending bill up for a vote in the coming weeks that would provide $40 billion to create jobs, one of several proposals under development as lawmakers debate a second round of major spending on the economy.
Capuano, a Somerville Democrat, said yesterday the amendment will focus on putting people to work rebuilding the nation’s crumbling roads and bridges, and will be likely also to include direct aid to states and cities as well as an extension of unemployment insurance.
“Right now, it’s in the vicinity of $30 billion to $40 billion in infrastructure money, and probably a similar amount of money for governments, so state and local governments can maintain what they have’’ without layoffs, he said.
Congressional leaders “now get the message: There is a need for a jobs bill as soon as possible,’’ said Capuano, who ran unsuccessfully for his party’s nomination to replace Senator Edward M. Kennedy. He said Democrats decided to fast-track a bill they had been working on after he told colleagues voters are restless about unemployment and looking to Congress for action.
The move caps a week of activity on the economy and unemployment, in which President Obama outlined his strategy to create jobs and hosted a bipartisan meeting on the issue with congressional leaders. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday members have several proposals in the works to boost unemployment, including aid to small businesses.
Republicans, however, are unlikely to support the Democrats’ proposals.
“Americans are asking where the jobs are, but all they are getting from Washington is more spending, more debt, and more policies that hurt small businesses,’’ House minority leader John Boehner wrote in a Washington Post editorial that appeared yesterday.
