Jim DeMint: Veterans Hiring Bill Is A Democratic 'Trick'

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) distinguished himself Thursday as the only senator to oppose a measure aimed at hiring veterans, calling it a "trick" by the Obama administration and Democrats.

He knew his decision wouldn't be popular, but still cast the lone vote against an amendment to grant employers tax breaks worth up to $9,600 for giving a veteran a job.

"I know what I'm about to discuss won't be very popular. I'll probably be accused of not supporting veterans by the politicians pandering for their votes," DeMint said on the Senate floor Thursday. "But I'm not going to be intimidated to vote for something that may make sense politically but is inherently unfair."

In fact, it did not take long for Democrats to point out DeMint's vote to reporters, in case they missed it.

DeMint argued that passing such a tax break was simply catering to an interest group and predicted little hiring would come from the measure. "Despite the overwhelming evidence that these tax credits do not stimulate hiring for targeted groups, the Obama administration continues to push Congress to pass another tax credit, this time exclusively for veterans," he said. "By using a politically sensitive group the day before Veterans Day, the Democrats are hoping they can trick Republicans into further complicating the tax code."

None of DeMint's Republican colleagues agreed with him. Indeed, they held up the legislation as an example of bipartisanship aimed at addressing the unemployment crisis.

DeMint later voted in favor of the larger bill to which the veterans amendment was added, a measure to delay a 3 percent withholding tax that was supposed to help the federal government crack down on contractor fraud. That bill passed unanimously, 95-to-0.

In another twist in the odd world of Congress, DeMint had been one of a large majority of senators who voted for that 3 percent withholding tax in 2005. Then it had been aimed at federal contractors who failed to pay their taxes; the 3 percent essentially served as collateral to ensure the companies paid up.

But with the economy in the tank, legislators on Thursday deemed it an impediment to hiring.

Comments

[prettyfnliberal]

09:34 AM on 11/14/2011

i love how anything designed to help the regular people in society including our veterans is looked down on. great job GOP you've inspried a nation of idiots to think you're right.

[Cody Harding]

01:48 AM on 11/14/2011

Yes, it's a leftist plot...voted on by every Republican except Jim DeMint. Yeah, completely Leftist.

Are you people serious? Get over this 'Left Bad Right Good' mentality and look at the issue at hand: employers are being offered a tax incentive to hire Veterans. Veterans that, on average, have leadership training, experience in stressful situations and the ability to act with initiative and drive. Also, it's a tax incentive that can't be outsourced, meaning the profit made stays in America, helping boost the economy here. It also helps bridge the employment disparity that veterans are currently facing.

I agree with the 99% of representatives that voted for it, in both parties. Jim DeMint voted against it simply because it was an 'Obama trick' and not because of any solid logical ground.

[scottfalck]

01:19 AM on 11/13/2011

This dude should be used as cannon fodder.

[pragmaticcodger]

10:09 PM on 11/12/2011

So, following DeMint's twisted reasoning, Vets should not get the G.I. Bill, or a few extra points on a civil service exam ? Everyone has or had the chance to enlist, the chance to die or being crippled, burned, dismembered or emotionally wounded, to earn benefits that someone thinks is wrong. Speaking as an honorably discharged Navy Vet from a long time ago, we are hero's when defending and serving our country, but some of our fellow citizens have short memories. Don't just remember us on November 11, or the 4th of July. All gave something, and some gave all. Some were too cowardly to do anything but criticize Vets.

[Lois Green]

09:52 PM on 11/12/2011

Jim DeMint is a sleeze bag republican senator from SC who cast the single lone vote against a bill that gave businesses a financial incentive to hire veterans... The vets don't get a dime.. they get a job, a job by the way is an invitation to work your ass off for some greedy business owner. Theses boys went to war which was started by your republican war mongers Bush/Chenney. Claiming weapons of mass destruction. A trumped up war to avenge the words of Sudam Hussane towards his father senior Bush. Chenney had oil on his mind. And DeMint calls the efforts by the democrats to help our veterans as they return to America . I hope the people of SC turn their backs on Jim DeMint... HE is a totally worthless representive... When elected by a state, they are there to serve the total country and all the citizens.. He is so out of touch with life he don't deserve another term

[Bob Snob]

08:29 PM on 11/12/2011

why dont they the vets the tax break instead

[mac123]

10:14 PM on 11/12/2011

1) How do you give a tax break to someone who doesn't have a job?
2) Giving a tax break to vets who ARE working doesn't create jobs which is the whole purpose.
3) Giving the tax break to businesses provides an incentive for businesses to create new jobs.

[Bob Snob]

11:38 AM on 11/13/2011

1)they get bennefits they pay income on those,
3)thats crap nobody is creating jobs ,unless they go to work for a small business,if they go to work for a huge corporation, then no ,they only create jobes overseas because they are give incentive to do so ,plus the main reason, the the cheap labor,no regulations
at least if you give the money to the poor vet who,lives day to day ,he has to spend that money,he patronizes local business with that money,that stimulates the economy also
poor people who live day to day are the ones spending, big corporations are not,and if they do they dont spend it here,we know they are hoarding and stockpiling cash
the vets will be forced to spend the money to survive, the business has the luxury of being able to save,but you cant predict where the vet will spen, at big business ,or local ,just like you cant predict where they will seek employment, so here is an idea ,only offer the incentive to hire vets to small business, no multinationals

[shenendra]

07:37 PM on 11/12/2011

Jim DeMint is acting like a fool.

[Steve Shade]

07:27 PM on 11/12/2011

"in god we trust" has always been the US motto according to the news story.

Actually is has been the motto only since 1956.

[FreedomAmerica2012]

07:06 PM on 11/12/2011

Jim Demint is right, it is a political ploy by Obama and the demos. Every business that I know will be offering a returning soldier a job without being bribed to do so. Offering money to hire a returning Vet is an INSULT to business owners.

[4thefree]

07:42 PM on 11/12/2011

You would hope that American-owned businesses would hire Vets without being bribed. I'd like to think so as well.

I find everything the Left tries to do - suspicious and with an ulterior motive.

[FreedomAmerica2012]

09:14 PM on 11/12/2011

You got that right!

[Scheherazade Brown]

08:15 PM on 11/12/2011

being a political ploy would feel alright with my soul than being the human being that is blessed abundantly and do not desire to assist others to become in the position to obtain

[tyche1234]

01:38 PM on 11/13/2011

Your point is?

[c15stars]

06:30 PM on 11/12/2011

This Dude has been aroundf Rick Perry to long.

[Elle Bach]

06:08 PM on 11/12/2011

Yeah Jim, it's a "trick" to get past Republican traitors and actually do what government for "we the people" is supposed to do - something that serves THE PEOPLE...and the group you shunned this time are the ones wiling to sacrifice their lives to protect your freedom.

Feeling lonely and unappreciated, Jim? Why does this strike me as the kind of "trick" you pull pretty regularly to get attention.

Resign and seek professional help for your paranoia, Jim. You're a sick disgrace.

America deserves functioning, mentally healthy, men and women interested in being public servants, not silly, game-playing politicians who see everything in terms of a political advantage.

You have become stomach-churning disgusting.

[bast1124]

08:47 PM on 11/12/2011

"America deserves functionin­g, mentally healthy, men and women interested in being public servants, not silly, game-playi­ng politician­s who see everything in terms of a political advantage"

Why single him out? Don't they all play games according to the political advantages they might gain by supporting or opposing a bill?

[fabuloush2s]

09:33 PM on 11/12/2011

Well done! This is like throwing the vets under the bus because of political reasons... are people without a brain lately...or does this guy think if he plants a thought the process will flare up... actually, why doesn't he just resign and give a vet a chance to take his place... then somethings in the senate may jump back to reality. Using political nonesense is just not becoming anymore, or should there be a sign posted on the office of the senators doors.... THIS IS THE REAL WORLD, you got that???!!!!!

[bestintravel]

06:07 PM on 11/12/2011

Whether it is a campaign ploy or not, this tax credit still champions a Republican principal of supporting our veterans. People will see through it as a campaign ploy, but a deserved benefit for vets nevertheless. So just float on democrat guilt from not supporting veterans in the past. Jim Demint is all wet on this one.

[pasanby]

05:41 PM on 11/12/2011

I'll have to stand with Jim DeMint on this , to single out one popular group to receive entitlements is nothing more than a waste of tax money to gain votes . As a veteran , I don't like to be used in this manner ! Just as we elect presidents , employers hire peaple quaifed for the job !

[raegrant5]

06:13 PM on 11/12/2011

I agree with you, if your not qualified for the job then step down and stop wasting everyones time!

[4thefree]

07:48 PM on 11/12/2011

Good for you! The Leftys on this blog will try to persecute anyone who doesn't support this. However, we, on the Right know what's going down. We have and always will support our Troops. Disagreeing on passing this bill doesn't diminish in any way, shape or form, our support of them.

[jsor 102060]

05:40 PM on 11/12/2011

This is too much...the people get freebies up the wazoo when they leave the service, and enough preferential treatment for jobs as it is..cut the b.s. already. They CHOSE the military, it doesnt make them better than anyone else who is out of a job,,,cut it already

[bestintravel]

06:11 PM on 11/12/2011

No just protecting your assets from outside punks.Their sacrifices should be appreciated and they are.These are benefits, not freebies.

[Robyn Singleton]

02:26 PM on 11/14/2011

I hope someone pisses on your grave

[Bill J White]

05:16 PM on 11/12/2011

people--I've said it once..I'll say it again..death to the GOP. Jim DeMint--go home to communist china where you belong. Next war--you go fight it and send your kids--if you're capable of having any, to fight your messes.

[bast1124]

08:55 PM on 11/12/2011

Your comments are confusing. You are calling a republican a communist but the democrats, who wish to redistribute the earnings of those who work to those who will not, are ideologically closer to communism than the republican ideolgy. Miss too many days of school?

[sabihala2]

08:57 PM on 11/12/2011

Say it all you want, we are here to stay. someone must stop the democrats from giving everything away.