Bush Tax Cut Extension Passes Senate 81-19
In the end, it wasn’t even close:
The Senate on Wednesday approved a sweeping tax package negotiated by the White House and congressional Republicans, and House leaders – who were looking to amend the measure in a way that would satisfy liberals without unraveling the deal altogether – said a House vote could follow as soon as Thursday.
The Senate passed the package by a vote of 81 to 19.
Before senators began debating the $858 billion package in late morning, President Obama urged lawmakers in both houses to pass it “as swiftly as possible.” He called the plan “an essential ingredient in spurring economic growth over the short run.”
Speaking before a meeting with business leaders, Obama said: “I am absolutely convinced that this tax cut plan, while not perfect, will help grow our economy and create jobs in the private sector.” He acknowledged that lawmakers of both parties object to different aspects of the plan but said, “That’s the nature of compromise.” He added that “we can’t afford to let it fall victim to either delay or defeat.”
Things are dicier in the House but, in the end, it looks like the bill will become law by the end of the week
Looks like those spineless jellyfish Democratic senators and the President yielded to the Republicans. the extremely wealthy will continue to have low taxes and, can anyone understand it, will pay estate taxes only if they have 10 milllion dollars in assets
I would like to know the names of the 19 with sufficient honor and cojones to vote against this give-away.
The democrat members of the House have nothing to lose and if those who survived or were newly elected act as the senators did, they can wave goodbye after two years. The Republicans certainly will not vote for them, the disgusted members of their own party and independents like me, likewise..