Tax bill clears test vote in Senate (83 to 14)

WASHINGTON -- Michigan's U.S. senators split their votes Monday over the tax deal President Barack Obama struck with Republicans, with a bipartisan majority showing support by cutting off debate. That signals likely passage when it comes to a final vote in the next few days.

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The bill would then go to the House, where it faces a less certain outcome.

The 83-15 vote, with 60 needed, had support from members of both political parties including many Democrats.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said that although she worries about continuing current tax rates for wealthier Americans, she's more concerned about what will happen to middle-class earners if everyone's tax rates go up -- as they will without action by year-end -- and extended unemployment benefits that expired two weeks ago aren't put back in place.

Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, also a Democrat, voted against the bill, saying that although he supports keeping tax rates in place for middle-class earners and reinstating unemployment benefits, the package was too skewed toward higher-wage earners and should have been open to debate and amendment.

Allowing such a process, however, could have upended the deal Obama worked out with Republicans, who had the votes in the Senate to block the Democrats' attempts to raise taxes only on individuals making $200,000 a year and couples making $250,000.

Worried that if taxes went up on everyone Jan. 1 it could sink a slowly recovering economy, Obama and Republicans reached a deal to keep current tax rates on all earners in place for two years. In exchange, unemployment benefits would be put back in place for 13 months more. In addition, all wage earners would get a cut from 6.2% to 4.2% on Social Security payroll taxes in 2011. That's worth $1,000 to someone making $50,000.

But House Democrats criticized Obama for dealing on the estate tax, giving Republicans a more generous offer than they thought prudent -- a 35% rate on inheritances above $5 million for individuals and $10 million for couples.

They have promised to try to change it once the legislation gets to the House.


http://www.freep.com/article/2010121...vote-in-Senate

83-15, this is what millions of dollars in lobbying money looks like, lol.

What's a test vote?

If these were the votes for the DA...imagine that...

Man, these rich folk really don't deserve a tax break. It's the middle class that's suffering right now, not them.

Politics...sigh.

=( i feel sad when I see super majority votes like that.

I remember b4 dreaam vote in house they had a vote on extending background checks for child care workers. It was crazy almost 400 yeas, 3 nay (republican) and a few no votes.

I have a feeling we lost some leverage on DA. Although, hopefully we're able to acquire enough votes without the need of a supermajority.

It's when you test a vote.

Ok so I heard they might vote on the DA on the first week of Jan...fuck thats gonna suck