The Senate has begun debating a Democratic bill that would lower taxes for companies that hire new workers, give raises or buy major new equipment this year after Republicans decided against derailing the plan with a procedural move.
Senators voted 80-14 to begin considering the legislation, which Democrats say would pump life into the economy by giving companies incentives to hire workers and spend money on machinery and other major purchases. The measure would cost $29 billion over a decade and is backed by the Obama administration.
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Republicans had considered sidetracking the measure, which many of them consider an election-year messaging device by Democrats with little chance of becoming law.
They decided to let debate begin and use it to push amendments seeking broader tax cuts than Democrats want.
