Dems Call GOP's Bluff - To Vote on Tax Cuts

[Shea]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/01...90607.html

WASHINGTON - Democrats and Republicans are working to reach a deal to extend Bush-era tax cuts that expire at the end of the year, but neither side is budging as negotiations begin in earnest.

Even as they talk, House leaders are planning to hold a politically charged vote Thursday to extend middle-class tax cuts while letting taxes for the wealthy rise, an action that some believe could threaten the still ongoing deliberations over a long-term solution.

At a briefing with reporters, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said that bringing the legislation -- which is set to include a pay-as-you-go requirement -- to the floor would not affect the bipartisan talks.

"I talked to Mr. Van Hollen, [the congressman representing House Dems in the negotiations] and he and I both agree that this matter moving forward should not undermine negotiations on a compromise," Hoyer claimed. "I'm hopeful that we will able to pass that bill unanimously because the American public wants us to find places for agreement."

SNIP

[There Is No Spoon]

[sandnsea]

I was just about to post an article where Republicans said they won't vote on anything, including unemployment, unless the Bush tax cuts are passed. The American public wants those tax cuts to expire. That is definitely one of the things we voted for in 2008. Maybe without so many blue dogs in the House it will be clearer to the leadership what Democrats want.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/20...e-GOP-says