House Passes Jobs Legislation

Press Release

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) voted to pass the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, H.R. 2847. The bill passed by a vote of 217-201. This legislation will help jumpstart the economy, rebuild America's infrastructure, and create jobs. It will now be sent back to the Senate for final passage.

"This jobs bill gives a needed boost to Oregon's economy, putting hundreds of thousands of people to work rebuilding the nation's crumbling infrastructure. With Oregon's unemployment hovering around 11 percent, we're making a critical down payment that will help small businesses hire more workers. Investing today in infrastructure and transportation will create sustainable jobs while reducing the energy and oil we consume down the road."

The HIRE Act extends the transportation reauthorization through December 31, allowing $77.15 billion to be invested in renewing and rebuilding America--an investment that will support 2.4 million jobs. It also includes a payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs, and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees.

These jobs will be added to the more than 2 million jobs created across the nation by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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