Senate considers aid for jobless vets, contractors
By ALAN FRAM
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate is temporarily setting aside its long partisan standoff over jobs and starting to consider giving a modest economic boost to veterans and government contractors.
The measure cleared an important hurdle Monday when senators voted by an overwhelming 94-1 to begin debating the bill.
It would repeal a law requiring the federal, state and local governments to withhold 3 percent of their payments to contractors, a provision that was designed to force the businesses to pay their taxes. Repeal supporters say the measure would leave companies with more money to expand.
An amendment expected later this week would add money to give tax credits to companies that hire veterans and to provide vets with more job training and other services. It, too, is expected to win strong bipartisan support.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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