Reid to GOP: Do the right thing, support jobs bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) urged Republicans to support a bill that would end tax breaks for U.S. companies that send jobs overseas.

“We have the opportunity to vote for a bill that protects American jobs,” Reid said on the Senate floor Wednesday. “Do the right thing.”

{mosads}Later Wednesday, the Senate will vote on whether to end debate on the Bring Jobs Home Act, S. 2569, which would give companies incentives to bringing jobs back to the United States, including a tax write off for the relocating costs and an additional 20 percent credit.

Currently, U.S. companies can deduct from their corporate taxes some expenses of moving facilities overseas. Democrats said 2.4 million jobs have been outsourced in the past 10 years.

Democrats will need at least five Republicans to vote with them to advance the measure, but Republicans are expected to oppose the bill because Reid wouldn’t allow them to offer any amendments.

“We Democrats are lined up against outsourcing,” Reid said. “A vote against this bill is a vote against American jobs.”