GOP Blocks Bill to Punish Companies that Move Jobs Abroad

CBS/iStockphoto

Republicans, with help from a handful of Democrats, used a filibuster to block a measure that would have used the tax code to punish big companies that shut U.S. manufacturing plants and move the jobs overseas.

The Senate voted 53-45 in favor of the procedural motion, but Democratic leaders needed 60 to take the bill up.

Current tax law allows companies to benefit in a variety of ways when they move jobs overseas, including deducting the costs of closing American plants. The proposed bill would have raised taxes on companies that move manufacturing jobs out of the country and provide a tax incentive for companies that decide to bring them back.

Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, said it was an attempt to protect American workers and the bill "sends a simple message: stop shipping our jobs overseas."

But Republicans said they worried the bill could hurt the competitiveness of large American companies that still have a lot of American workers even if they do move some manufacturing plants to nations with cheaper labor.

Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, also slammed the bill as nothing but "gamesmanship" designed to help the Democrats in the upcoming elections.

It was in some ways a final parting shot for Democratic leaders, who have been unable to get much past Republican filibusters and will likely adjourn for the election as soon as they pass a continuing resolution, which is needed to keep the government operating after the fiscal year end on October 1st.

---

Bob Fuss is CBS Radio News' Capitol Hill Correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

[jenbaseball]

Here are the NO votes. Give them one right back on Nov. 2.

Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brown (R-MA)
Brownback (R-KS)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Collins (R-ME)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
LeMieux (R-FL)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lugar (R-IN)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Nelson (D-NE)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Snowe (R-ME)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (D-VA)
Wicker (R-MS)

[Philotheos5909]

This country is going down the tubes, and it isn't because of giant corporations, it's because of ignorant fools posting here.

Before any of you demonize those evil businesses (who you depend on for jobs, goods and services), why don't you ask why they're offshoring jobs in the first place? Could it be that taxes are so bloody high in our 'free market' that businesses can't survive to employ people here? How in the heck is raising taxes going to help that? Taxes are so high on businesses, along with regulation, benefits, unions, obamacare, etc. that businesses can't hardly afford to hire people so OF COURSE they offshore jobs. Raising taxes to prevent them from doing that won't create jobs here, it will kill jobs elsewhere and possibly shut down companies altogether. How will that help our economy? How will demonizing the organizations which give you jobs improve your situation?

And then you idiots run into the arms of government wanting more legislation, thinking they'll improve things when in reality they cause most of these problems through their meddling.

So stop complaining about the GOP, stop drinking the koolaid and eating democratic talking points and stop acting like drones. You all have brains, you should all be able to study how a market economy works, why don't you do that? Businesses don't hate Americans, and most of them would prefer to keep their work here, but they MUST pay attention to the bottom line in order to survive. So instead of criticizing them, why don't you criticize the government who is ruining the business environment in America? I know most of you libs and democrats won't do that, because of your pro-government marxist leanings. I guess when all businesses are gone in this country and you don't have a job and can't feed yourself, maybe then you'll start to realize that businesses aren't the demons you make them out to be.

[jenbaseball]

Are you kidding me? Research company profits from 50 years ago -- and note that back then there were more unions and a better rate of pay (when American families could live on one income) -- and you'll see EXACTLY why companies moved abroad. Companies can make a healthy profit in America BUT they can't exploit workers (pennies a day) and environmental laws (ocean dumping) like they can in China, ergo an even bigger profit and happier stockholders. It's all about greed, greed, greed.

[endmaine]

Philotheos5909>> have you ever worked for a company who has moved jobs over seas, huh ? The ONLY reason they do it is because their cost will be lower as a result of minimum wages. I have worked for 4 companies and was involved with the decision and it did take jobs away from American citizens. The GOP has an opportunity to take back the house and senate but with bone head decisions like this they don't stand a chance.
GOP, WAKE UP OR YOU WILL BE HISTORY !!!!!

[USJobs4US]

Americans, WE can STOP the hostile takeover of the United States by Greedy Corporations. How?

Get rid of their enablers. The NAY voting US Senators</strong> who vetoed S.3816, Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act

Vote out EVERY corrupt NAY voting politician of EVERY party

Find out which Senators in YOUR district support Corporate Greed, NOT people in need by checking the Senate Roll Call Vote here

http://*******.com/vote-them-out

We live in the United States of America, NOT the United States of Microsoft, India or China.

Send FAT CAT Senators who chose to represent their corporate benefactors, not the people who elected them home - let them experience joblessness personally.

[nitella40]

The Democrats voting to block the bill were Sens. Max Baucus of Montana, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Jon Tester of Montana and Mark Warner of Virginia. Also voting no was Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.
No surprises here. They need to be run out on a rail. The republican's and corporate democrats sold us out a long time ago when Bush I crafted NAFTA and Clinton signed it.

[MohatmaJeebus]

Of course they did. It's the GOP.

[HolyVoice]

How about that GOP "Pledge to America"? Anything in there about keeping jobs in America?????
by USA_is_back September 28, 2010 2:15 PM EDT


Wow! That's a hardhitting question to ask.

[david4673]

If the actions of Republicans in Congress these last few weeks don't fire up the Democrat voters, they all deserve the end of their special interest projects (example: yes, I want equality... but gay marriage doesn't put food on the table) and the end of progress in general, that Republicans winning big in November will surely bring about.

[kansas1946]

If anyone had any doubts about how slimey Republicans are and how un-American, this should clear those up. One of the most devastating things to American workers has been this insidious migration of jobs, particularaly manufacturing jobs, overseas. Where companies don't have to worry about workers safety, benefits, or humane working conditions. And it is all about greed. Well, go ahead and vote Republican and remember that when you are in the unemployment line.

[noloyalisti]

The Republican Party is a criminal organization that should be immediately disbanded. Before they hurt anyone else.

[noloyalisti]

Anyone who votes for these anti-American extremist corporate Republican morons is either an complete brainless, racist idiot (Tea Bagger) or in the top 2%.

[starleo146]

do ypo still think the Republicans will help the people, or the corporate big business world. The Dems and The Independents better get out and vote do not stay home, get out and vote, or the people lose, and the big business wins.