[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JOB CREATION

  Mr. McCONNELL. Over the past few weeks, I have repeatedly come to the 
floor to highlight the good work Republicans in the House have been 
doing in identifying jobs legislation on which the two parties can 
actually agree. At last count, House Republicans had passed 22 jobs 
bills which were designed not only to incentivize the private sector to 
create jobs but which were also designed to attract strong bipartisan 
support. In other words, House Republicans have been designing jobs 
legislation that could actually pass. They have been legislating with 
an eye toward making a difference instead of just making a point.
  I have been encouraging the Democratic majority here in the Senate to 
follow the House's lead, take up these bipartisan jobs bills, pass them 
here in the Senate, and send them to the President for signature. That 
way we would actually be helping to create jobs, and we would send a 
message to the American people that we can actually do something many 
of them think we don't do enough of around here; that is, work 
together.
  This morning, I would like to call on my Democratic colleagues once 
again to take me up on the offer. Once we get back from Thanksgiving, 
let's take up these bipartisan bills that have already passed the 
House, pass them here in the Senate, and send them down to the 
President for signature. We showed we can do it last week when we 
worked together to pass Senator Brown's 3 percent withholding bill and 
Senator Murray's Veterans bill. In fact, yesterday the House passed 
this legislation 422 to 0, sending it to the White House for the 
President's signature. So I would like to call on the President this 
morning to invite Senator Brown down to the White House for the signing 
ceremony, which would show the American people that cooperation is, 
indeed, possible when the Senate focuses on bipartisan job-creation 
solutions.
  Let's continue to build off that momentum and do more. Many of the 
bipartisan House-passed bills already have companion or similar 
legislation here in the Senate. There is no reason we can't start to 
take them up as soon as we get back. There is a lot we could do.
  Yesterday, I highlighted a bill by Senator Collins, the EPA 
Regulatory Relief Act. It has strong support from both Republicans and 
Democrats right here in the Senate, including 12 Democratic cosponsors. 
Let's pass it. The House-passed version of this bill passed 
overwhelmingly. It got more than 40 Democratic votes. It is supported 
by more than 300 business groups, including the American Forest and 
Paper Association, the National Association of Manufacturing, the U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, 
and the Business Roundtable. According to one estimate, this bill could 
save more than 200,000 jobs and provide greater certainty for 
businesses that are asking us for it. The EPA has asked for more time. 
Both parties support it. Let's pass it.
  Once we pass that bill, we should take up the four other bipartisan 
House-passed bills I highlighted last week. These four bills would help 
businesses raise capital, expand their businesses, and create more 
jobs. They all passed with bipartisan support over in the House. We 
have bipartisan companion or similar legislation right here in the 
Senate. What is the holdup? Let's pass these bills too.
  There is the Small Company Capital Formation Act, cosponsored by 
Senators Tester and Toomey. Its companion legislation got 183 
Democratic votes in the House. Let's pass it.
  There is the Community Bank Resource Improvement Act, cosponsored by 
Senators Hutchison and Pryor. Its companion legislation in the House 
got 184 Democrats. Let's take it up and pass it.
  There is the Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act, cosponsored 
by Senators Toomey and Carper. Let's pass it.
  There is the Democratizing Access to Capital Act, sponsored by 
Senator Scott Brown. A similar bill in the House passed with 407 votes, 
including 169 from Democrats. Let's pass it.
  There is the Access to Capital for Job Creators Act, cosponsored by 
Senator Thune. It passed the House with 413 votes, including 175 
Democrats. Let's pass it.
  And we shouldn't stop there. As I see it, there is no reason we 
shouldn't take up every one of these bipartisan bills that have already 
passed the House once we get back and pass them, one by one. They all 
passed the House on a bipartisan basis. They all help the private 
sector create jobs. There is no good reason we shouldn't take up all 
these bills and pass them right here in the Senate because if we can't 
pass jobs legislation on which we all agree, then what are we going to 
pass? This should be a layup.
  The Republican House has done its job. It is time for the Senate to 
act. Let's do what the American people expect us to do. Let's take up 
these jobs bills when we return, pass them, and send them down to the 
President for signature. Let's do the work we were sent here to do.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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