Yesterday, the U. S. Senate voted down an amendment to the Surface Transportation bill that would have renewed many of the now expired tax extenders.
Although I haven’t seen this important detail in other news coverage, Paul Suplizio informs us today that the amendment would have renewed the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) retroactively through the end of 2012. Paul Suplizio is the President of the WOTC Coalition.
The amendment was proposed by Senator Pat Roberts, Republican from Kansas, who is also a member of the Senate Finance Committee.
Sixty votes were required to approve Senator Roberts’ amendment. It failed 41-57, drawing the opposition of most Democrats because it was coupled with provisions to approve the Keystone pipeline and expanded oil drilling off the shore of Alaska.

“[WOTC] Coalition members in Kansas are urging Senator Roberts to join with Senator [Max] Baucus to try again to pass the extenders alone. However, that will have to be done on another vehicle as S.1813 passed the Senate today and now goes to the House for action and a conference.”

Another amendment offered by Senator Debbie Stabenow, Democrat from Michigan, would have added renewable energy tax extenders to the Surface Transportation bill.  This proposal did not include WOTC. It also failed 48 to 60.

“We feel sure Senator Stabenow will try again on another bill as solar and wind manufacturing has become vital to the Michigan economy, and we are urging her to include WOTC and other extenders the next time.”

If you support renewal of WOTC and other tax extenders, consider expressing your support now for these two Senators.  Remember, Senator Stabenow did not include WOTC in her amendment but may be encouraged to include WOTC with the other tax extenders she is already supporting.
Senator Pat Roberts
109 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1605
Phone: 202-224-4774
Fax: 202-224-3514
Senator Debbie Stabenow
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4822
Fax: (202) 228-0325