Senate Approves Tax-Cut Compromise
Wednesday 15 December 2010
by: Mike Ludwig, t r u t h o u t | Report
(Photo: Rob Crawley; Edited: Jared Rodriguez / t r u t h o u t)
The Senate on Wednesday approved the Obama administration's tax-cut compromise with Republicans that would extend Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans, including the wealthiest, and extend unemployment benefits for one year.
The $858 billion package passed by a vote of 81 to 19 and still must be approved by the House of Representatives. Stubborn House Democrats have pledged to tighten an estate tax provision.
In order to extend unemployment benefits, the Obama administration struck a deal with Republicans seeking a two-year extension of tax cuts originally pushed by the Bush administration nearly a decade ago.
Democrats like Sen. Sherrod Brown (Ohio) reluctantly voted in favor of the compromise in order to help struggling families.
"Earlier this month, all 42 Republican Senators threatened a work stoppage," Brown said in a statement. "These Senators threatened to go on strike - blocking unemployment insurance, middle class tax relief, and national security measures - unless we agreed to give extra tax cuts to America's wealthiest 315,000 people."
"But we must compromise in order to extend help to those who are struggling in this economy," Brown said.
A recent Roll Call report shows Brown is slipping in the polls and Ohioans give him a 40 percent approval rating.
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Comments
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I've always felt it
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 16:19 — MR (not verified)I've always felt it enormously sad that the Dems, who have the presidency and the majority in the senate (and before November, House as well), were so impotent and could not get anything done because of the obstructionist minority. 'Impotent' doesn't even cover it.
These are the kinds of flaccid Democrats the left does not need in office.
Mr. O'Compromise has
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 16:44 — Anonymous (not verified)Mr. O'Compromise has compromised away his Presidency.
This is just the latest position he has abandoned.
Disgusting.
Mike Ludwig- Please let
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 16:58 — MG (not verified)Mike Ludwig- Please let President Obama and Senate Democrats call this capitulation to the immoral and unethical opposition a compromise. You should refer to it as what it is: a bad deal for America being whitewashed by the Obama administration as "the only possible option".
How long will Americans buy the crap being pushed by the White House and the mainstream media? Obama should not be trusted, or supported, to do the right thing for America. Anyone posting on this blog that we should give him yet another chance is no different from any other of these BS Democrats.
PS. The manner in which Democratic are falling over themselves in their push to revise the estate tax rate shows just how awful they are at negotiating with Republicans. Appalling!
Reid should have called the
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 17:06 — Anonymous (not verified)Reid should have called the obstructionists' bluff and allowed them to "go on strike". I'd love to see that: Nov. 14,1995, the sequel. Younger Americans should be forced to see it, and then stand up and demand it stop.
The Republicans have really gone AWOL. They must be reined in. Oops, too late, they're going to have a House majority in two months!
What a busload of missed and squandered opportunities by Democrats. That is, unless Democrats are no different than Republicans!
DEM Their AYES to 2012!
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 17:26 — Vic Anderson (not verified)DEM Their AYES to 2012!
Brown should go. What
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 17:40 — Liced-christs (not verified)Brown should go. What happened to all his progressive campaign rhetoric? It was just that: rhetoric.
Disgusting
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 18:22 — Anonymous (not verified)Disgusting
Sure Dems, just roll over
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 20:43 — Lorax (not verified)Sure Dems, just roll over and play dead. America is already anyways.
Wealth then, circle the
Wed, 12/15/2010 - 22:47 — Vic Anderson (not verified)Wealth then, circle the flagons and be of great cheer this mean season. For when even our single socialist misrepresentative won't STOP tax revenue transfer to the rich with his Ted Stevens-spirited, not-So-SECRET HOLD; the entire charade reveals itself as sheer Wall Street-theatre. And now, the oppressed public's begun joining the Buffalo Soldier-in-chief's block-party Ghost Dance! Another Zeitgeistly embrace for US ALL!
LET THE TAX CUT
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 01:10 — Anonymous (not verified)LET THE TAX CUT EXPIRE!!!!!!!
WE CAN'T AFORD THIS TAX CUT!!!!!!
Average tax cut for person
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 09:50 — Jim Welke (not verified)Average tax cut for person "earning" $1 million? $70,000
RBReich(twitter) Robert Reich:
If we put a 2% surcharge on millionaires and 5% on billionaires, instead of cutting their taxes, the long-term deficit would disappear.
more: www.completelybaked.blogspot.com
What compromise? The GOP
Thu, 12/16/2010 - 14:39 — Anonymous (not verified)What compromise?
The GOP gives up nothing & the Dems give up everything.
How is THAT a compromise?!
When will the Dems grow a backbone?!
We might as well have elected McCain and a full Congress of GOP for all the good the Dems have accomplished - NOTHING!!!!