Jobs Bill Being Crafted Behind Closed Doors
Yesterday, we learned that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is moving forward with a Monday vote on a jobs bill that he has not yet released to the public. Rather than revealing the details of this new bill, it is being crafted behind closed doors, where government watchdogs and policy experts are unable to analyze its provisions.
This isn’t the first time Washington has hidden its intentions from us. Last year’s stimulus, cap-and-trade, and health care reform bills all remained hidden from the American people and even members of Congress until hours before the vote. These bills all had monumental price tags and either have been or would have been disastrous for the American economy.
Congress has an opportunity to pass a job creation plan through a transparent process that would incorporate the best ideas of Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Washington is trying to keep its plans secret until the last minute. While we don’t know what they will ultimately release, we can only hope, at this point, they will not try to force through a second stimulus that will fruitlessly pump more money into government agencies rather than focusing on the small businesses that create 70 percent of new jobs. What we need is a bill that will decrease the tax burden on small businesses, reduce unnecessary regulation, and stem the vast expansion of government that has led to record deficits.
Congress needs to offer full transparency as it crafts legislation. The American people deserve no less.