Pass the Bill

A few days ago, Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked the American Jobs Act, a bill that would help create thousands of jobs in Maryland and in other states across the country.

This filibuster by Senate Republicans contradicted the advice of economic experts, who project that the bill will create almost two million jobs, and it rejected the recommendation by 16 Democratic governors that Congress consider this bill without delay.

With this rejection Republicans have unfortunately made it clear that they will stop at nothing to deny the President a political victory, even if that also means denying many Americans the opportunity to find work.

Creating jobs need not be a partisan issue. Many of the proposals in the American Jobs Act are being put into action by governors—both Democratic and Republican—in the states. And every one of the ideas in the American Jobs Act has been supported by members of both political parties. Yet partisan politics are getting in the way of commonsense, bipartisan measures that we know will create jobs.

Every day, the American people work hard at their jobs. Rightfully so, they expect government to do ours. This is our opportunity to work together for all Americans to create jobs and opportunity now.

I urge Congress to reconsider last night’s vote and immediately pass this bill. --Governor Martin