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 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.