What can Congress do to create jobs? Five Democratic proposals.

Amid fears that the economy may be headed into a second recession, both Republicans and Democrats say creating jobs is their top priority. But the two parties are far apart on their approaches. Here are the Democrats' top five priorities.

3. Tax credits to hire targeted groups

Carolyn Kaster/AP
President Obama speaks on Aug. 5 at the Washington Navy Yard about efforts to prepare veterans for the workforce.

On Aug. 5, Obama proposed giving companies tax credits of up to $9,600 for each young military veteran they hire.

The $120 million program will create some 25,000 new jobs, the White House says. Fifty percent of likely voters favor such a program, 32 percent oppose it and 18 percent are undecided, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll on Aug. 9.

But the notion of targeting select groups for help feeds the GOP narrative that Democrats use jobs funding to help politically favored constituencies.

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