The American Jobs Act will not move forward in the Senate, it seems, since it takes a supermajority to decide how many angels dance on the very tippy-top of the head of a pin. After a few minutes of Mitch McConnell's political posturing, which generally includes some middle-finger gestures, Republicans united in full-throated opposition to the bill, once again standing shoulder-to-shoulder to oppose it.
At this time, it appears the bill would have passed 51-48, but of course, in the Senate, we all know it takes 60 to play and when 100 percent of Republicans decide they're not playing, the game is over. Here's what some of them voted against:
John Cornyn and Pete Sessions (TX): 33,800 infrastructure jobs, 39500 teacher jobs, 30,300 school repair jobs. Total number of jobs not created in Texas: 103,600
Pat Toomey (PA): 17,900 infrastructure jobs, 14,400 teacher jobs, 12,300 school repair jobs.Total number of jobs not created in Pennsylvania: 44,600
Marco Rubio (FL): 20,500 infrastructure jobs, 25,900 teacher jobs, 16600 school repair jobs. Total number of jobs not created in Florida: 63,000
Rob Portman (OH): 13,700 infrastructure jobs, 14,200 teacher jobs, 12,800 school repair jobs. Total number of jobs not created in Ohio: 40,700
These are just a few examples. There are many more at the White House state-by-state breakdown of jobs created by the American Jobs Act.
On behalf of Americans everywhere, thank a Republican Senator for their unpatriotic act of putting politics ahead of problem-solving when you have a chance. Either that, or #occupySomething.
[Note: final count is not available because the vote is being held open for Jeanne Shaheen to return from an awards ceremony in Boston]
