Reid Promises Vote on Jobs Bill Next Week

Harry Reid plans to bring the first of several Democratic bills aimed at creating jobs to the Senate floor on Monday, with the goal of passing the measure by the end of next week. “For Senate Democrats, creating jobs is job number one,” the majority leader said. “There will be a vote on a jobs bill on Monday.” Details of the legislation are unclear, but some Democrats have called for a stimulus as large as $80 billion, reports the Hill.

Democrats have not yet found a Republican cosponsor for the bill, but are confident they will overcome that hurdle by next week. “We don’t have bipartisanship at this moment,” says Dick Durbin, but “I hope we’ll have it in a matter of minutes, hours, days.” They better: With Scott Brown being sworn in later today, Republicans have their 41st vote. The measure will likely focus on encouraging small-business growth through tax credits and breaks, and an expansion of Small Business Administration lending programs. (More Harry Reid stories.)