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December 9, 2010
Way cleared for tax cut bill; energy breaks added
WASHINGTON — The White House and key lawmakers in both parties cleared the way tonight for swift Senate action to avert a Jan. 1 spike in income taxes for most Americans, agreeing to renew expiring breaks for ethanol and other forms of alternative energy.
Tax provisions aimed at increasing production of hybrid automobiles, biodiesel fuel, energy-efficient homes, coal and energy-efficient household appliances would be extended through the end of 2011 under the bill, according to a summary that circulated in Congress.
Officials said debate could begin on the measure within hours. There was no timetable for a final vote, but the decision to expand the scope of the original bill capped days of secret negotiations aimed at increasing support.
The events unfolded as the White House predicted that the deal President Barack Obama struck with top Republicans would clear by year’s end — even though House Democrats voted today not to allow it to reach the floor without changes to scale back tax relief for the rich.
“If it’s take it or leave it, we’ll leave it,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, after a closed-door meeting in which rank-and-file Democrats chanted, “Just say no.”
“The deal will get passed,” said presidential press secretary Robert Gibbs. There were no predictions to the contrary among senior Democrats on either side of the Capitol.
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House GOP rejects 2-month payroll tax cut 
hawken on December 09 at 5:16 p.m.
So are we to assume that the Pelosi commune is on board as well?
I don’t think that I’ll hold my breath at this point.
selkirks on December 09 at 5:54 p.m.
Fascinating that the same Republicans that cry themselves to sleep at night about the deficit are achingly silent on this. Suddenly it’s no big deal?
That said, I commend the Obama Administration for compromising with Congressional Republicans. Extending the tax cuts for the rich, while probably not the best idea in the long term, should be done if it means that tax cuts for the middle class can continue.
eagleproducer on December 09 at 7:07 p.m.
selkirks: It’s because most of them couldn’t pass a fifth grade math class.
Viewing this as a “compromise” is like saying Chamberlain compromised with Hitler.
The tax cuts for the middle class were held hostage in this negotiation by the GOP. Make not mistake of that. If the wealthy didn’t get theirs (which amount to 70% of all the cuts to the top 5%) no one would.
With all the problems that face the nation, the new GOP leadership believes tax cuts for the wealthy, that will add to the deficit and have not created jobs for the past decade, is the number one priority. At least their honesty is appealing.
hawken on December 09 at 7:32 p.m.
selkirks…. hugh?
The Republicans have agreed to the compromise.
I personally don’t like it that Republicans have agreed to another liberal entitlement…. namely the extension of unemployment, now for what will be almost three years…. Why should people look for a job when they get paid to stay at home? While we as taxpayers pay them to stay at home.
Nevertheless, Republicans have compromised. So what’s your beef?
hawken on December 09 at 7:34 p.m.
selkirks…. afterthought….. The Pelosi commune has not yet agreed.
So, what do you make of that.
Pelosi and the liberal left House have refused to bring the Obama/Republican compromise to the floor of the house.
So, what do you make of that?
Scoutster on December 09 at 7:56 p.m.
I”m just so impressed with the forthright and honest way the incoming Rep House majority is handling the deficit.
They sure know how to balance a budget, those guys!
selkirks on December 09 at 8:39 p.m.
@hawken:
Exactly. I find it interesting that they have agreed to a compromise when they are the ones who constantly scream about the deficit.
If they truly cared about the deficit, wouldn’t they try to defeat this at all costs? The hypocrisy at work here is clear.
hawken on December 09 at 8:59 p.m.
selkirks
Some do… however, the reality of our political system is that all don’t always get what they want. That was the genius built into our system to our two party system by our founders, which was designed to function with competing, political, ideologies.
Myself and others don’t always like what is decided. But, that’s reality. What is revealing is that the liberal left doesn’t accept this, to date. We’ll see.
The liberal left screams at the Republicans for “non-partisanship” when they refuse to agree with the left. Then, when the left refuses to agree with their own President and the Republicans, it’s a matter of their principle. You can’t have it both ways.
JBlim on December 09 at 9:58 p.m.
hawken says: “That was the genius built into our system to our two party system by our founders”
You must have had too many egg nogs when you wrote that, Dr. hawken. You say what? The founders designed our two party system? Huh?
Dazzeetrader11 on December 09 at 10:36 p.m.
The guys that get the extensions of the taxes will take their money and enjoy the benefits of the investments in alternative sources of energy. See how tidy it is? Middles can always invest too if they want.
Big breaks in energy these days. And government supports the prfits….by the breaks. I still think we should be drilling for more oil on our own properties. I also thinkwe should be going after the natural gas stores on our own property. Alternative enery sounds good dut unless we devote some serious money to it, it won’t get done. Wind is a failure. Light is silly. Sun works. Nuclear is the most reliable and is renewable…very very expensive too.
All in all , it’s not a terrible deal. Cannot raise taxes with unemployment like it is…thanx Obama! The extensions shouldn’t be for 2 years. It’s the new normal.
Scoutster on December 09 at 11:00 p.m.
Really, Hawken…
You totally surprise me with your Constitutional illiteracy. And here I thought you were a scholar-patriot!