Republicans Stress Jobs in Health-Care Debate

Peter Landers reports on health care. Republicans are seizing on Friday’s unemployment report to step up attacks on the Democrats’ health-care bill. In statements on the floor of Congress today, Republican lawmakers repeatedly referred to the rise of unemployment above 10% to make the case that Democrats have “misplaced priorities,” in the words of Rep. Joe Wilson (R., S.C.). Rep. Eric Cantor , the Republican minority whip, said at a news conference that the Democratic plan would “impose higher taxes on small business while we’re expecting them to create jobs.” Small-business groups say the tax on married couples earning more than $1 million could hit some business owners. They also oppose penalties the bill would impose on businesses with payroll of more than $500,000 that don’t offer employees health coverage. Another frequently repeated phrase was “government takeover” – which is what Republicans say will happen to the health-care ... (link)