Tax Cut Vote: Senate Advances Obama-GOP Deal Toward Final Approval

WASHINGTON — Legislation to avert a Jan. 1 increase in income tax rates has gained 60 votes in the Senate, the level needed to advance toward a final vote.

The roll call is continuing, and the test vote is not final. But the bipartisan show of support is a strong indication the measure will be passed and sent to the House, possibly as early as Tuesday.

The bill provide a two-year reprieve in the tax increases that are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1 at all income levels. It also reduces Social Security taxes for every wage earner in 2011 and extends an expiring program of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed.

Comments

[Joseph Furtenbacher]

06:28 PM on 12/13/2010

Dang. Boys will be boys. Tell 'em to stay away from Jim 'Borrow and Spend' Watson, and what's the first thing they do? Humph! Next thing you know, you'll be lookin' at unexplained Government pay freezes, more Wars an' Walmarts (Jim's startin' out in a small way with a Subway an' a Stadium while waitin' for Iggy to Beam Him Up), and probably the playing of musical instruments (or conducting of school bands) while wearing glasses.

Ah, well; at least soon (if, indeed, it hasn't already happened), you, too, will learn the many benefits of Playing Nice, at least for those who are on top of their game...

As for what to do about it, I'm afraid there're some ancient Chinese (Opium Wars) secrets that even I don't know, at least not for popular consumption (taxes). Julian?

[stopthemadness69]

04:43 PM on 12/13/2010

Good.
Now that the ridicilous threshold of 60 has been reached will senate dems amend the bill to be more to their liking, before sending it to the house, since 51 is all that is needed to pass it thru the senate now? I think it could have been the congressional dem plan all along. Put together a deal that can get the 60 and then amend it and pass the bill u want with 51. They couldn't advertise that though, because to do so would mean you couldn't get the republicans to help you reach 60.
We'll see.

[jcapps]

02:48 PM on 12/14/2010

What a wonderful dream, hope it comes true.

[silkphoenix]

04:41 PM on 12/13/2010

I wonder how do I get hold of a list of Democrats who voted YES for this bill so I can make sure I won't vote for their re-election during the next term. I am so ashamed of being a Democrat now.

[stopthemadness69]

04:52 PM on 12/13/2010

I'd like to see the list of republicans who voted for a 13 month EU benefit extension, an expansion of the earned income credit, an expansion and extension of the college tuition credit and a payroll tax holiday for workers.

[stopthemadness69]

04:55 PM on 12/13/2010

You are ashamed that your parties politicians participated in democracy and compromised? Or are you ashamed that they voted for a full year of unemployment? Or would you have been prouder of your party if they had said no and let everyones taxes go up and UE benefits expire?

[jcapps]

02:57 PM on 12/14/2010

YES, I would love to see the Bush tax cuts gone and in three weeks the republicans on the hot seat to originate some legislation to quell the anger with something that can get through the senate and passed a presidential veto. That may bring us the first republican compromise in 30 years.

[TresJolie7]

04:30 PM on 12/13/2010

Which "Progressive Herooooes" voted for this bill?