Bernie Sanders: 'I Will Do Whatever I Can' To Block Tax Cut Deal (VIDEO)

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) appeared disgusted Monday over a recently reached deal between the White House and Republicans that would allow the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent of Americans to be extended for two years in return for GOP cooperation on the reauthorization of unemployment benefits for a 13-month period, among other concessions.

"For a Democratic president, Democratic House, Democratic Senate, to be following the Bush economic philosophy of tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires is absolutely wrong public policy, absolutely wrong politically, and I gotta tell you, I will do whatever I can to see that 60 votes are not acquired to pass this legislation," Sanders said on on MSNBC's "The Ed Show," before telling host Ed Schultz that he might go as far as to filibuster the legislation.

"Millionaires and billionaires do not need huge tax deductions, that's the simple truth," Sanders continued. "If we're serious about creating jobs in this country, which should be our main priority, that's the worst way to do it. Much better to take that money, invest in our roads, bridges, railroad systems, infrastructure -- you create jobs doing that."

Though Sanders appeared disappointed with the Obama administration for supposedly placating Republicans and going against his own campaign message regarding the issue, he also placed blame on his GOP colleagues for pursuing such an outcome.

"Our Republican friends have got to be held accountable. The issue is the insult, the outrage that they want tax breaks for billionaires but they can't in their heart come up with extending unemployment compensation so millions of families in this country can have a modicum of security," Sanders said. "I believe, politically, we can rally the American people around that cause."

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Comments

[dimplesmile7]

06:20 PM on 12/08/2010

I sent an email to Senator Bernie Sanders supporting his efforts in reject the Obama-Republican deal. I just received an email back from him along with a link. It is a petition for stopping the deal. Please sign and let him know that we support him:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/419?t=e1

[Corvid]

09:06 AM on 12/08/2010

Please, Bernie, no. Don't kill the jobless benefits, which is exactly what you'll be doing if you kill this package.

I can't believe this.

[dawgspiel]

09:20 AM on 12/08/2010

Well, it's difficult no question about it. There is no easy answer.

If this so called tax break is extended it will kill the country. We're headed for financial ruin if we don't get a handle on it.

[nsgo123]

08:12 AM on 12/08/2010

If he gets it blocked and everyone's taxes go up on January 1st, who will the Democrats blame for their lack of coming together to vote out the Bush tax cuts?

[farmallboy]

07:50 AM on 12/08/2010

Bernie's got the moxie to follow up on his threat and at least help define the difference between progressive and conservative principles. That has been the reason the GOP slaughtered the Dems in November. The GOP is crystal clear and is expert at getting working poor, unemployed, seniors, teachers, etc. to vote for them and against their own self interest. The progressives have a lot easier sell but simply don't know how to make a sale. The GOP is just like the banking business...your product may be overpriced, defective, ineffective, misleading, and harmful but extremely profitable so....sell, sell, sell. Our new national motto seems to be"buyer beware" .

[Acharn]

06:35 AM on 12/08/2010

What a contrast to the despicable Joe Lieberman (Obama's friend).

[ckmotorka]

12:35 AM on 12/08/2010

We need more like Bernie. Many, many more.

[outwithshelby]

12:29 AM on 12/08/2010

Teabaggers ,the poor ones,how do you feel ?Your children and mine will be paying for this Republican tax hostage on the backs of the poor and middle class.Congrat teabaggers

[Leftofmao01]

02:13 PM on 12/10/2010

single making 20k or less taxes will go up even with this bill
married making 40k or less taxes will go up even with this bill

[bong-o-boy]

12:18 AM on 12/08/2010

a REAL American Hero... and its been a while too...

[500 a]

11:23 PM on 12/07/2010

Thank you Bernie!  I hope that you can find some Democratic senators with spines who can say NO and stay firm.  If the republithugs want to pass tax breaks for the millionaires, let them do it when they are in charge.

[hswanson2]

10:37 PM on 12/07/2010

This has to be the liberal bottom line - money finds its highest use (get a repub to argue with you on that) if taxes are high that higher use will be crating more wealth (investing and in theory creating more jobs) if taxes are low it is putting it in your pocket - money now is always better then money later - so taxes have to be relatively (to interest rates) high.

[Paul Weiskel]

10:24 PM on 12/07/2010

What can I do?

[Sophiedo]

10:33 PM on 12/07/2010

We can start by collectively not spending a dime on those who sponsor the Republican agenda. Those commercials on radio stations, faux newsy channel, and not buying books from those that promote the Republican mindset. They're already rich, and we're the ones who give it to them. Time to take it back!

[Sophiedo]

10:24 PM on 12/07/2010

Kudos to Sanders!

[hswanson2]

10:19 PM on 12/07/2010

Bernie why not put a hold on the legislation - or how about you Russ - what do you have to lose. I feel like we are constantly be hoodwinked - we are not stupid. Where are the holds against untenable legislation for progressive - not just now back to the Bush administration - starting to think the plutocracy is playing us for suckers.

[MarshaA]

09:54 PM on 12/07/2010

I am with ya Bernie. PLEASE President Obama stand up to the task. The Bush tax cuts did not work it is crazy to continue them. Stop this Republican tax policy.

[RingWorlder]

05:45 AM on 12/08/2010

Pres. Obama is beyond the task. He is a Republican and a complete waste of our time. He insults all those that elected him. Bloody the Republican bully noses and tell them to go pound sand or whatever euphemism you choose. At this point he is unelectable anyway. Waste of all our time and money for "Change We Can Believe In." We didn't realize that was meant as CHUMP CHANGE for the working class and large bills for the wealthy.

[notlieutishia]

06:23 AM on 12/08/2010

Can't you see and understand that the Regurgitationists hold us hostage with this crappy filibuster thing? We the people are up against a wall built by big business. If we fight back to filibuster them, then we hold up the unemployment for the poor and we hold up the tax cuts for the poor. I say get rid of this filibuster of sixty. That extra ten destroys democracy.

[HMON]

09:50 PM on 12/07/2010

Go for it, Bernie.