Senate breaks stalemate, passes jobs legislation

The Senate passed a $5.1 billion jobs and recession-relief bill without a controversial provision to repeal tax witholding on interest and dividends. Senate Republican leader Howard Baker freed the jobs bill by promising Sen. Robert W. Kasten Jr. (R) of Wisconsin action beginning April 15 on repeal of the 10 percent withholding tax on interest and dividend income. Kasten had blocked final action on the jobs bill by offering the withholding provision as an amendment.