Rep. Levin renames extender bill a jobs package

Ways and Means Chairman Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) told reporters on Tuesday that legislation extending several expiring provisions will be deemed a jobs bill. 

"Nobody understands extenders and a lot of the extenders relate to jobs," he said. "That's what R&D is, and larger provisions relate to jobs." 

For years, lawmakers have called legislation resuscitating expired provisions, like the research and development tax credit or the above-the-line deduction for education expenses, an "extender bill." But the economic downturn has prompted Democratic leaders to reclassify the annual extension of expiring measures as mechanism for creating jobs.

"Whatever we pass here now relates to helping create more jobs," Levin said. "So what's called the extender bill is really a jobs bill." 

The newly-named jobs bill is expected to not only extend expiring tax provisions, but also renew unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits for the jobless. Build America Bonds are also expected to be a part of the package. 

Levin expects the jobs bill and legislation helping small businesses to pass his chamber separately by the Memorial Day recess.