Senate Begins Debate on Bigger Jobs Bill

The Senate has begun debate on a $150 billion jobs, but whehter or not illegal aliens will benefit from the bill is still unclear. The chamber passed a smaller jobs bill last week that will provide tax credits to businesses that create jobs, but without verification, the jobs could be created for illegal aliens.

The larger bill that will cost approximately $150 billion will address long-term extensions of expiring unemployment benefits, COBRA healthcare subsidies for laid-off workers, an increase in Medicaid reimbursements to states, and continues dozens of lapsed tax breaks for businesses.

The Congressional Black Caucus would like to see the bill create more jobs, but without an E-Verify amendment, if the bill does create jobs, it will create jobs that illegal aliens can get.

Several weeks ago, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Jeff Sessions and seven other Senators urged Majority Leader Harry Reid to add protections, including E-Verify, into the jobs bills to keep any benefits from going to illegal aliens. No amendments were allowed on the smaller jobs bill, and whether amendments will be allowed to the bigger bill is still up in the air.