Topic: Bipartisanship

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What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
What can be done to create jobs? Six leading ideas.

The job market has shown some very welcome signs of improvement lately, but it still has a long way to go before approaching something Americans would call normal. Here’s a look at some of the proposed solutions out there.
In Pictures: Who's who on the US deficit super committee
'Zero job' economy: 11 ways Washington can fix it

A stagnant job market has ramped up the pressure on President Obama and Congress to come up with solutions. What can be done? Here are 11 proposals.
Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'

Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.

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Decoder Wire
Has Cory Booker hurt his own political career? (+video)

Don't look for a prime time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention for Cory Booker, but his defense of Wall Street – and criticism of the Obama campaign – won't hurt his standing with moderates or Wall Street donors.
Insider trading bill: A model to end gridlock on Congress?

The Senate passed jobs and insider-trading bills Thursday, hailing a moment of bipartisanship. But times when members of Congress get along are rare – and that isn't expected to change.
Tax VOX
Ryan's mystery meat budget

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released a fiscal plan that promises trillions of dollars in tax cuts and a nearly balanced budget within a decade, but never says how he'd get there. 
Violence Against Women Act: A political opening for Democrats?

Senate Democrats aim to extend the Violence Against Women Act, adding services for illegal immigrants and same-sex couples, a move Republicans say is out to score political points.
Tale of two jobs bills: a parable of gridlock in Congress

The House passed the JOBS Act, which businesses call important but incremental. The much more consequential transportation bill, however, remains in partisan gridlock.
What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
A Congress with no room for Olympia Snowe and other centrists?

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) of Maine is the latest centrist to depart Congress. For several years now, the partisans have been staying and the moderates have been either losing or leaving.
At 2012 Academy Awards, 'The Help' appeals across party lines (+trailer)

Sometimes Republicans and Democrats have different film tastes. Last year, it was "True Grit" vs. "The King's Speech." But this year, Americans across party lines are enjoying "The Help," the film about African-American maids during the civil rights era, a Christian Science Monitor/TIPP poll shows.
Payroll tax vote exposes divisions within each party

Despite the bipartisan support for the payroll tax bill, blocks in both parties had reservations: Republicans angry that the measure was not paid for, and Democrats worried about the health of Social Security.
What can be done to create jobs? Six leading ideas.

The job market has shown some very welcome signs of improvement lately, but it still has a long way to go before approaching something Americans would call normal. Here’s a look at some of the proposed solutions out there.
On the Economy
Obama tried to help the budget supercommitte. Really.

In September, the president proposed a budget to the supercommittee that included budget cuts meant  to please Republicans. Yet some say he failed to "reach across the aisle."
In payroll tax battle, GOP shows cracks under Democratic pressure

Democrats are ramping up the pressure on House Republicans over their refusal to pass a payroll tax deal – and some Senate Republicans are not rushing to their colleagues' aid.
With payroll-tax cut, House GOP aims to force senators back to Capitol

The House will vote Tuesday on requiring senators, who have left for the holidays, to negotiate differences in legislation to extend the payroll-tax cut and other measures set to expire on Jan. 1.
Horizons
SOPA Internet bill: Newspapers and op-ed writers pile on

Last week, tech companies such as Google and Yahoo spoke out against SOPA and PIPA, two bills aimed at cracking down on online copyright infringement in a way that some call overbearing. Now, with newspapers running more pieces critical of the legislation, the opposition could intensify.
Obama vs. GOP on jobs: Let the blame game begin

The essence of the divide remains: Increase federal investment to stimulate job creation versus easing environmental and other regulatory restrictions that critics say can hinder job creation.
Tax VOX
Tax reform is essential, inevitable, and impossible

Tax reform is even more necessary now than it was in 1986. Everyone agrees that the tax system is complex, unfair, and inefficient.
On the Economy
Bipartisan support for fixing our schools

The Historic Schools Rehabilitation Tax Credit offers developers, states, and school districts a federal tax credit to enter into public/private partnerships to help pay for modernization of schools that are on the National Register of Historic places. But is the plan too limited in scope?
Senate slap of China a sign that patience is wearing thin on trade

With jobs at a premium in the US, senators from states hard-hit by job losses to Chinese manufacturing passed a bill to sanction China for manipulating its currency.
Senate to vote, again, on bill to fund government, disaster aid

The Senate is set to vote late Monday on a spending bill to keep government running. This one, like a version rejected Friday, does not resolve the sticking point: how to pay for new disaster aid.
Obama's deficit plan is just the first for 'super committee' to consider (video)

President Obama’s plan to cut the deficit by some $3 trillion faces robust competition in a Congress already awash in competing principles to get America back to a sustainable path.
The Vote
While Obama gets aggressive on jobs bill, GOP plays nice ... for now

Republican House leaders haven't been slamming President Obama's jobs proposal. But it's not a new political Age of Aquarius. They all face re-election, and voters are fed up with partisanship.
In Pictures: Who's who on the US deficit super committee
'Zero job' economy: 11 ways Washington can fix it

A stagnant job market has ramped up the pressure on President Obama and Congress to come up with solutions. What can be done? Here are 11 proposals.
Tax VOX
Deficit reduction unlikely in the near future

Experts agree that short-term stimulus combined with long-term austerity is the most likely outcome for a budget deal, but Congress probably won't reach an agreement before Thanksgiving.
Obama needs a story line for the nation

In his effort to be post-partisan Obama has lacked a clear, compelling narrative for the American people. The only story we've heard is the GOP tale of spending cuts and big government. Our Story Teller in Chief needs to find the plot.