Obama aide: Senate will save tax cut plan

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...tax-cut-plan/1

"The Obama administration now sees the Senate -- where Republicans have blocked other initiatives with filibusters -- as the savior of the tax cut extension plan that has been attacked by some congressional Democrats.

The Senate takes up the measure Monday, and is expected to pass it, White House senior David Axelrod said today on Sunday interview shows.

"We believe that when it comes back to the House, that we will get a vote, and that we'll prevail there," Axelrod said on CNN's State of the Union.

Democrats also appearing on the Sunday shows predicted that the package would eventually reach the House floor, despite the party's decision to the table it last week.

"There will be an opportunity for the House to work its will," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., appearing on Fox News Sunday. "What the form the bill takes as it comes to the floor is something that will be decided."

Axelrod and lawmakers spoke less than a week after the Democratic-run lame duck U.S. House vote to table a plan to extend tax cuts signed into law by President George W. Bush. Democrats protested the fact that the plan extends tax cuts for the nation's wealthiest citizens, as well as providing further breaks on the estate tax.

Obama and Axelrod said the package also includes a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits, as well as a series of middle-class tax cuts that will boost economic growth and job creation.

In addition, all the Bush tax cuts expire at the end of the year, Axelrod noted -- so if Congress does nothing, everyone's taxes will rise.

"I think every single person in that building does not want taxes to go up on January 1st, does not want to see 2 million people lose their unemployment insurance," Axelrod said on ABC's This Week. Everybody understands what the implications for the economy would be ... I believe that there will be a coming together around it."

In a role reversal, Republicans have been generally more supportive of the tax cut package endorsed by Obama.

Van Hollen said on Fox News that many of his Democratic colleagues are particularly upset with the estate tax break, and want to change the package, though he expects the plan will wind up on the House floor soon.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., another critical Democrat, said on CNN that it is highly likely the tax cut package will eventually pass -- "but not with my vote."

There are many phone calls flying back and forth between White House officials and Democratic lawmakers.

"The president's been talking to members," Axelrod said on CBS' Face The Nation. "We're all talking to members, and members are talking to each other. I think that we will get there."

(Posted by David Jackson)

Hopefully the tax cuts will be extended. The last thing we need is an all-angry cword

tax cuts passing = pissed off democrats. tax cuts not passing = pissed off republicans

pissed of democrats + pissed of republicans = less votes for DA

less votes for DA = lots of pissed off dreamers

lots of pissed off dreamers = anarchy and DA_user getting hanged

Well, I believe that the senate won't be THAT big of an issue for the Tax Compromise. I think it will pass the senate (it may have troubles in the House).
Regardless of how pissed off Dems. are, they would still support the DA if it came for a vote (those who already do anyway) .
So, I don't think that the Tax issue is affecting DA other than in timing.

As much as I hate to admit it, this sounds about right. Except for DA_User get hanged, of course.

Tax cuts passing = pissed off democrats

pissed off democrats = Increased demand for republican cooperation with DREAM ACT

Demand from democrats + Pressure from dreamers = passage of DREAM ACT

just curious btw, how many of the Democrat senators who are agains the Dream Act are FOR tax cuts for the wealthy? They might as well change parties if this is the case...

Can't Democrats go like this?

Put DA tomorrow or sometime this week for cloture votes, and if it is not passed, then no tax cuts for the wealthy! Democrats gotta grew some balls and face these jerks same way.

I know I am biased to our case but seriously, it would suck if Republicans get all they want and then deny DA.

Haha yeah I was thinking the same thing. What if tax cuts legislation passes and the GOP stabs us in the back by saying that the "border isn't secure" ?

well, that wouldnt work either. if Democrats played their game, then Republicans will play theirs harder or even worse... then it would just be an on going thing without having anything done or any bills passed. More Dreamers will be screwed.

and Democrats cant afford to do that, since Democrats lost some seats in the senate and republicans will run the House after the lame-duck session.

so its collateral now..

one thing you have to admire about repulicants is that they can all take a position and stick with it, dems had a super majority in both houses if they all stuck together things would get done a lot faster, we would need a lot less rep support.