HispanicBusiness

Senate Republicans voted Thursday to block debate on a bill Democrats said would encouraging hiring by providing tax incentives for U.S. businesses.

Business groups opposed the Bring Jobs Home Act -- which would provide tax breaks for companies that bring jobs back to the United States from overseas -- arguing it could have a negative effect on U.S. companies' competitiveness, Politico reported.

The Obama administration -- which had been criticized following a Politico report Wednesday that the president's jobs council had not met for six months -- accused the Republicans of "playing politics" by blocking debate on the bill Thursday.

"The president believes we must attract and keep good jobs in the U.S. by rewarding companies who bring jobs back to America," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "That's why he called on Congress to pass legislation that gives companies a tax credit for moving operations back to the United States. It was paid for by eliminating deductions for expenses associated with moving operations overseas.

"Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress blocked this proposal from moving forward," Carney said. "Rather than encouraging companies to bring jobs back to our shores, they chose to play politics and block measures that will create jobs and strengthen the middle class."