Sen. Tester Votes With Republicans Against Jobs Bill

Montana Sen. Jon Tester has voted with Senate Republicans to filibuster President Barack Obama's jobs bill, one of two Democrats to do so.

Tester, who faces a tough 2012 challenge by Montana Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg, said Tuesday the White House's $447 billion plan is an expensive, temporary fix to a problem that needs a long-term solution.

Tester criticized the bill as sending billions in bailout aid to states and containing "tax gimmicks" that don't address deficit reduction.

Obama's plan calls for $270 billion in tax relief, such as Social Security payroll tax cuts for workers and businesses. The rest would go toward spending on infrastructure, jobless aid and to help local governments avoid layoffs of public employees.

Montana's senior senator, Democrat Max Baucus, voted for the bill.

Associated Press