In today’s economy people struggle to find jobs to support their families. Across from the University of South Florida at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital a group of veterans rallied in favor of the American Jobs Act to expand opportunities for unemployed veterans to re-enter the work force.
On Thursday, in their try to pass individual pieces of President Obama’s American Jobs Act, Democrats fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward a $35 billion package for states and localities to hire and prevent the layoffs of teachers and first responders.
That vote came a week after a vote on the entire American Jobs Act in failed to get the 60 votes to end a Republican filibuster.
After the vote of the American Jobs act was rejected Pres. Barack Obama said, “Every American deserves an explanation as to why Republicans refuse to step up to the plate and do what’s necessary to create jobs and grow the economy right now.”
Under the American Jobs Act the president tried to encourage employers to hire veterans. In return the act would have provided hiring incentives for businesses and returning service members. Initiatives in this act would have been fully paid for by the president’s detailed deficit reduction plan.
This article appears in Oct 20-26, 2011.
