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Senate rejects amendment to strip premium discount for firms that offshore jobs
Summary
Senate amendment 50-73, which would have removed a 50% unemployment insurance premium reduction for employers that offshore at least 25 jobs, was defeated on a roll-call vote, 14–28. Supporters framed it as an anti-offshoring measure; opponents called it punitive and likely to increase layoffs.
Senator Townsend (Dubuque) offered amendment 50-73 to deny employers a 50% unemployment insurance premium reduction if they laid off more than 25 workers and subsequently created at least 25 substantially similar jobs in another country within a year. Townsend said the change would "entice companies to keep their workers here, not to lay more people off."
Senator Dickey (Jefferson) urged colleagues to oppose the amendment, calling it "punitive" and saying it could undercut recent unemployment insurance tax reductions and potentially lead to more layoffs. A record roll-call was requested and taken; the presiding officer announced 14 ayes and 28 nays and declared the amendment defeated.
The transcript records the motion, floor debate for and against, and the roll-call votes (a partial list of recorded votes appears during the count).
