![]()
December 13th, 2010
06:50 AM ET
Senate set to debate tax plan compromiseBy CNN Wire Staff WASHINGTON (CNN) – Senators are expected to open debate on the tax compromise reached by President Barack Obama and Republicans Monday, but House Democrats will likely try to change the deal, one of their leaders said. Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told reporters that the package will get a vote in the House despite a threat by House Democrats last week to prevent it from reaching the floor. "What form the bill comes to the floor in is something that's under On Sunday, White House senior adviser David Axelrod ruled out any major changes to the tax package, telling CNN's "State of the Union" that it was time to move forward on a compromise that includes elements distasteful to each side. "I think the Senate is going to take this bill up tomorrow, and we Van Hollen said the main concern of House Democrats is an estate tax Two other House Democrats, Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington and Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, agreed on CNN's "State of the Union" that the House would take up the package, even though some Democrats would vote against it. The remarks showed a softening in the sometimes vitriolic Democratic At a closed meeting Thursday where members shouted "just say no," House Democrats decided against even considering the deal, raising questions about Obama's influence in his own party and whether any agreement with Republicans could win congressional approval in the current lame-duck session. The tax cuts are set to expire at the end of the year, which means Obama and Democrats face a fast-approaching deadline to reach a deal or see tax bills increase for everyone. With Republicans winning control of the House and diminishing the House Democrats initially opposed the package because it includes a However, Senate Republicans have refused to accept any difference in tax treatment for the wealthy, demanding that all current rates be extended. Last week, they blocked Democratic measures in the Senate to limit the extended tax cuts to income levels below $1 million a year. At the same time, some conservatives are challenging the plan over the deficit hit. Still, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the chamber's No. 2 Democratic "We will need Republican support to pass it" because of opposition by |
![]() |
![]() |
|||
![]() |
![]() |
soundoff (No Responses)