PROVIDENCE, R.I. --The two announced Democratic candidates seeking to replace U.S. Rep Patrick Kennedy are taking differing views on the proposed jobs bill currently making its way through Congress.

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, who is in Washington, D.C. this week to lobby in support of the bill, calls it a "critical first step" in creating jobs and supporting struggling businesses.

"Every effort that creates a job or supports a struggling business is important. The jobs bill is a critical first step, though there's much more to be done. The passage of this bill demonstrates that Congress is beginning to understand the urgency of taking action now and the importance of working together on behalf of the American people," he said in a statement.

Former state Democratic Party Chairman William Lynch, though, says the job bill does not go far enough.

"It's bordering on embarrassing that members from both the Democratic and Republican Parties are touting passage of the jobs bill in the Senate as a victory for working families. This congress had no problem bailing out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion, yet can only muster the political will to provide $13 billion toward job creation," Lynch said in a statement.