Strike Two for Jobs Bill with Anti-Porn Rider

WASHINGTON, D.C.— H.R. 5325, the science jobs bill with the porn rider attached, was defeated for the second time in a week, this time because it failed to get two-thirds of the House votes needed for passage.

Last week, the Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science (COMPETES) ACT was pulled from the floor after GOP lawmakers used a Motion to Recommit maneuver to attach an amendment that included a provision that would deny salary pay to any government employee accused of watching pornography at work or on work computers.

Wednesday, to prevent any addition amendments, Democrats brought the bill up under a procedure that prevented any additional amendments but required two-thirds approval. The vote was 261-148, with every Democrat supporting it but only 15 of 163 voting Republicans.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said he was disappointed that “Republicans continued to play political games, voting against a job-creating measure that had bipartisan support,” and promised to bring it back for a future vote under rules that would require a simple majority for passage.