House passes bill to extend Bush-era tax cuts to middle class

eli2036113 · 05:41 PM

Quote:

House passes bill to extend Bush-era tax cuts to middle class
By Felicia Sonmez

The House on Thursday passed a bill that would extend the Bush-era tax cuts only to the middle class, a mostly symbolic measure that nonetheless allows Democrats to draw a contrast with Republicans on the issue.

The bill passed by a 234-to-188 vote, with 20 Democrats bucking their party to oppose the measure and three Republicans voting in favor. The proposal would extend the Bush-era tax cuts only to individuals earning $200,000 or less per year and families earning $250,000 or less.

Democrats had pushed it to a vote this week in an effort to make the case that Republicans are holding an extension of the middle-class tax cuts hostage to an extension of cuts for higher earners. Republicans have slammed Democrats for the move, accusing them of undermining bipartisan negotiations this week on reaching a compromise on the tax cuts.

Earlier Thursday, House Speaker-designate John Boehner (R-Ohio) called the vote "chicken crap."

The bill stands little chance of passing in the Senate, where Republican leaders have vowed a filibuster.

"Regardless of what the majority forces House Republicans to do, it's not going to go anywhere," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters Wednesday night. "We are going to extend the current tax rates; we're not going to raise taxes on anybody. The only thing we're discussing now is just how long that extension will be."

Earlier Thursday, 33 Democrats defied their party leadership by voting against the rule governing debate on the tax-cut bill because they wanted to vote on an extension of the cuts for all income levels, not just the middle class.

The test vote narrowly passed by 213 to 203, but the number of Democrats bucking their party was significant; among those voting against the measure were 21 members of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition.

Four of the Democrats who voted against the earlier test vote -- Reps. Gerry Connolly (Va.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Jim Himes (Conn.) and Jason Altmire (Penn.) -- wrote a letter to Pelosi urging a bipartisan solution to the tax cuts issue.

In the letter, the four advocated for a one-year extension of the tax cuts for all income levels and a permanent extension for middle-class earners.

"While those in the highest income brackets comprise only two to three percent of American taxpayers, economists estimate that they are responsible for 25 percent of national consumer spending," the four congressmen wrote. "As retailers and other businesses continue preparations for the holiday season, and employers make seasonal staffing decisions and consider possible raises and holiday bonuses for their employees, now is the time for action."

It doesn't have to do with the DA, but with just a little bit of the compromises the GOP want to move on to DA--even though it states they weren't happy.

lilbawler2001 · 12-02-2010, 05:41 PM

This is only the house, besides this is not what the senate republicans want.

Romero · 12-02-2010, 05:41 PM

Now what else are the Republicans going to bitch and whine about? They got their tax cuts, let's do this.

red_d3vils · 12-02-2010, 05:41 PM

We still have government spending to deal with

Feenmi · 12-02-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eli2036113

Okay, so they got it. Can we move on to the DA? Hopefully.

Lmao. So bittersweet. I LOVE the fact that the House Dems said "Fuck you" to the GOP, but this will effect DA. Not so much in the House, but in the Senate.

Feenmi · 12-02-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romero

Now what else are the Republicans going to bitch and whine about? They got their tax cuts, let's do this.

They could care less of the middle class. They want the tax cuts for the rich. So no, they didn't get what they wanted.

Erik1421 · 12-02-2010, 05:46 PM

No, Republicans must get ALL tax cuts, thats when they will stop filibustering everything. Dream Act will be voted on tomorrow in the house, but for it to pass the senate, they will need to compromise on Bush tax cuts

Romero · 12-02-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feenmi

They could care less of the middle class. They want the tax cuts for the rich. So no, they didn't get what they wanted.

Oh yeah, you're right.

eli2036113 · 12-02-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik1421

No, Republicans must get ALL tax cuts, thats when they will stop filibustering everything. Dream Act will be voted on tomorrow in the house, but for it to pass the senate, they will need to compromise on Bush tax cuts

Reps are ruining the chillwaves--bitches.

Mona Lisa · 12-02-2010, 05:51 PM

We are going to run out of time and nothing is going to get down.

I don't see how they can vote on one version of dream here and then pass another version here then go in a fucking meeting and compromise and vote again

On top of that the bush cuts are not what the GOP want so they have to re-pass it in the house

GOD

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31

They need you!

Forum links

Resources

Join our list

National calendar of events

August

House passes bill to extend Bush-era tax cuts to middle class