–Senate Majority Leader Says He’s Not Aware of House GOP Package
–Will Review Any Jobs Legislation Coming From House
–GOP More Intent on ‘Culture Wars’ Than Jobs Bills

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid disputed
Thursday that a meeting this week between congressional leaders and the
White House paved the way for quick passage of a package of energy and
jobs bills.

At a briefing, Reid appeared to sharply dispute House Speaker John
Boehner’s assertion both Wednesday and Thursday that the congressional
leadership meeting with President Obama Wednesday could lead to swift
passage of energy and jobs legislation.

When asked by a reporter about a House Republican jobs package that
Boehner suggested might now be on a fast track for approval, Reid
snapped “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

He said he is unfamiliar with any House Republican jobs legislation
but would review any “good ideas” that come from the House.

But he gave no hint that he expects Wednesday’s White House meeting
to lead to progress on legislation.

House Republicans have assembled a six-bill package of small
business bills that they will consider next week.

These bills would allow privately held companies to advertise for
investors; allow companies to sell up to $2 million in securities,
limited to $1,000 per buyer, without registering at the SEC; increase
from $5 million in shares to $50 million the annual public offering
threshold under which companies are exempt from filing requirements;
exempt companies with up to 1,000 shareholders from mandatory SEC
registration; phase-in regulatory requirements for companies going
public; and exempt banks with fewer than 2,000 shareholders from
registering with the SEC.

At his briefing, Reid scorched Senate Republicans for blocking
progress on a highway bill that he said would preserve 1.8 million jobs
and help create 700,000 additional jobs.

He said Republicans in the Senate are more interested in waging
“culture wars” on the floor of the Senate than passing job creation
legislation.

The Senate earlier in the day rejected a Republican amendment that
would have allowed employers to opt out of providing any health care
coverage that they say violates their conscience or religious beliefs.

** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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