The House on March 4 passed a $15 billion jobs bill by a vote of 217 to 201 that that would give tax breaks to companies for hiring new employees, according to reports from the Washington Post ^[1]and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA).

Six Republicans (Dave Camp – Mich., Joseph Cao – La., John Duncan – Tenn., Vern Ehlers – Mich., Tim Murphy – Pa., and Don Young – Alaska) voted for the bill while 35 Democrats (mostly members of the Congressional Black Caucus) opposed it, according to NSSGA.

The Senate has also moved forward on a more ambitious bill that is expected to come to a vote next week, according to the Post report.

The House voted 217 to 201 to approve the measure, which also includes a reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU through Dec. 31 and an expansion of the Build America Bonds program and a provision allowing companies to write off equipment purchases, according to the report.