Senate passes $70 billion tax cut package

[Roon]

WASHINGTON - The Senate passed a $70 billion tax cut package Thursday that extends lower rates for investors and gives President Bush a badly needed victory at a time of plummeting popularity.

As expected, the vote was close in the narrowly divided Senate, where some moderate Republicans have expressed concerns about the bill. But earlier, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said it would pass.

The bill, the result of months of negotiations between the two chambers, was passed by the House on Wednesday.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12738176/

[babylonsister]

1. As far as the majority of middle-class people in this country who

are aware of what's going on are concerned, this is no victory. I hope that reflects in November. :grr:

[0007]

2. Crap!

[aquart]

3. They think this is a victory?

We can slice and dice on this issue alone.

[AndyA]

4. Most average Americans will interpret this as a benefit to Bush's

wealthy base, and a slap in the face to the middle class. I think we'll see the results of the GOP folly at the polls in November.

Just another nail in the coffin...

[SIU_Blue]

5. moronic.

absolutely mind-numbingly stupid.

No other president. Ever. Passed tax cuts during a war.

:wtf:

[Selatius]

6. The only people who won are the wealthy investors on Wall Street.

This isn't much of anything to the working poor.

[Vinca]

7. Hmmm - shall I spend the loot on a Chinese lunch or half a tank of gas? nt

[Ian David]

8. Now Bush's base will have more money to party before The Apocalypse n/t

[Maine-ah]

9. thanks George, and the 15 dems that signed on to this!

next time the least you could do is just take that $46 and buy a giant jar of vaseline before you decided to sign another bill like this.


Please sir, can I have some more?

[dmr4567]

14. how do I find out who voted for this tax cut

this is just so hard to believe I heard 9 out of 10 people were against a tax cut and would love to know who voted for this

[Maine-ah]

15. I can't find it, but I'm looking.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_109_2.htm

there is this, but the votes are not up yet.

[Nutmegger]

10. 15 Dems sided with the 'Pukes

THANKS! :hi:

[Pastiche423]

11. Does anyone know where to find the Roll Call Votes?

[Robbien]

16. I've been looking but Thomas says there isn't a roll call vote

wonder why.

[Pastiche423]

17. The only thing I can think of

is that haven't had time to put up the Senate votes. But, there has been plenty of time for the House votes.

I want to know who voted for this crap!

[babylonsister]

20. Here's a thread w/results:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2619465

[Robbien]

21. Thanks, so three dems and three pubbies switched sides

The Nelson twins plus Pryor--of course.

[babylonsister]

22. Yep. I don't get Nelson-FL. Who's he trying to impress, and isn't

he up for reelection? Was his vote to appease the geezers in FL? Sigh.

[Robbien]

23. He has voted for every single nasty bill: bankruptcy ; all tax cuts;

CAFTA, etc. You name it, if it gives money to the global wealthy and exploits the middle class, both Nelsons have whole heartedly supported them. In fact on CAFTA, Nelson from Floria was one of the primary pushers behind the bill.

[Idioteque]

26. The elderly make a lot out of dividends...he thinks he's helping. n/t

[Maine-ah]

24. thankyou

gotta love it when the news reports that 15 dems voted voted yea, when only 3 did. Either way, those three need to be strung up by their thumb nails.

[Pastiche423]

29. 15 Dems in the HOUSE

voted AYE.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll135.xml

Barrow
Bean
Boren
Case
Cramer
Cuellar
Davis (TN)
Ford
Gordon
Marshall
Matheson
McIntyre
Melancon
Peterson (MN)
Salazar

[Maggie_May]

12. We are going Bankrupt!

Do these guys have any brains at all. We have the largest deficit ever and they are passing 70 billion tax cuts. There just so out of control.

[lovuian]

13. These men who voted for this in time of war and deficits

that are huge are robbers and criminals against American children!!!
:argh:

[Ratty]

18. Trickle down and all that

You know, voodoo economics. More money to the rich guys means more jobs for the working Joes. How about trickle up, I ask? More money for the working Joes means more people buying goods and services. Well of course that's just ludicrous.

[endarkenment]

19. Here are our idiots...

Nelson (IDIOT-FL)
Nelson (IDIOT-NE)
Pryor (IDIOT-AR)

And here are the two republicans who still have a shred of decency:
Snowe (R-ME)
Voinovich (R-OH)



http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00118#position

[Idioteque]

28. Chafee (R-RI) too. n/t

[flaminbats]

31. this sucks..why even vote for Pryor or Nelson?

I could probably get the same thing,..if not more from the Republicans running against them! :banghead:

Republicans in 1993 and 1994 defeated Clinton because they were united..and gave Democrats a brutal fight to even pass a budget or tax changes..ones that would provide the largest government surpluses in history! Clinton's legislation usually passed by a narrow margin..his five-year budget passed only with Al Gore's tie breaking vote!

But who cares?...pass the tax-cuts by more than a 10 vote margin. Why should Democrats have anything to campaign about this November..least of all fiscal responsibility?! I was pleased to see Chaffee, Snowe, and even Voinovich opposed to extending these tax-cuts. If Democrats had united against more deficit spending, these tax cuts wouldn't even exist! This came shortly after the House passed a military budget that spends more than half a trillion! First the House and Senate put together this huge defense bill, now they say.."the hell with paying for it"..:crazy:

[Joey Liberal]

25. Bad for America

This will just make rich people happy and add to the national debt.

[Idioteque]

27. I agree with George Voinovich

Capital gains and dividends tax reductions are wonderful. They help spur investment and growth. The problem is, WE CANNOT AFFORD THEM. We are in debt up to our eyeballs and everybody has to sacrafice to pay for it.

[Rex]

30. Good thing, rich investors are having a hard time paying for

that fourth house in Italy. :sarcasm:

[serryjw]

32. Tax-cut bill wins final passage

quote.....
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A contentious $70 billion tax-cut package awaits only President Bush's signature after the Senate on Thursday passed the measure 55-44, largely along party lines.

The bill extends tax breaks on capital gains and dividends through 2010 and changes the unpopular alternative minimum tax so that it includes 15 million fewer middle-class taxpayers.

end quote.......
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/11/tax.cuts/

The SOB's did it! In war time! OMG, more millionaire get more money. Shared sacrifice!

[sakabatou]

33. Fuck!

[Captain Hilts]

34. Un #@*! beeleevable! Two wars, four tax cuts! How did OSnowe vote? nt

[Nothing Without Hope]

38. Snowe voted against. See my post below. n/t

[Erika]

35. W and his rubber stamp republicans doing away with the

middle class. Hey, I still know several rich Republicans who adore Bush. They have more money than they've ever had. They vacation in Europe and can afford to send their kids to the best universities.

They don't do talk on Iraq or helping the poor. They don't even want to hear about it. Their world is the good world, and they want to enjoy it.

Kind of mini Paris Hilton's and the Bush girls.

[Nothing Without Hope]

36. Here it is from Associated Press. ***LINK*** 3 GOPs against, 3 Dems for.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060512/ap_on_go_co/congress_taxes

Senate Approves $70 Billion Tax-Cut Bill

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer 55 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Senate gave final approval Thursday to a $70 billion election-year package of tax cuts that will extend lower rates for investors and also save billions for families with above-average incomes.

The Senate passed the measure by a 54-44 vote, clearing it for President Bush's signature.

The legislation provides a two-year extension of the reduced 15 percent tax rate for capital gains and dividends, currently set to expire at the end of 2008.

It also will extend for one year recent changes to the alternative minimum tax — originally aimed at making sure the wealthy pay at least some taxes — to prevent it from hitting more upper middle-income families.

(snip - more at link)

Oh yeah, these guys are nothing if not consistent.

Only three GOP senators voted against it: Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and George Voinovich of Ohio.

And THREE DEM SENATORS VOTED FOR IT: Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida and Mark Pryor of Arkansas.

[Erika]

37. The working class takes it in the shorts again

That should be a Bush trademark.

[Peter Frank]

39. K & Friggin' R! ...

These lawmakers are bereft of social conscience.

[Tempest]

40. Another nail in the GOP's coffin

Most Americans know this is a benefit for the rich only.

And they won't forget it in November.

[jseankil]

41. Middle Class will recieve an average of $20 (email this story to others)

May 11, 2006 — President Bush is expected to sign the controversial $70 billion dollar tax bill next week, after it passed the Senate today. The measure is a package of tax cuts that primarily favor upper-income Americans.

Here's how the cuts break down: If you earn between $27,000 and $47,000 a year, which is middle income, your tax savings will average $20.

If you earn $47,000 to $82,000, you save $115.

Those with an average income of $82,000 and over will receive savings of roughly $2,099.

But the biggest savings go to the biggest earners. The top 1 percent of wage earners will receive a $13,849, and the top 0.1 percent will save an average of $82,000, which is why this bill was so controversial.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1951122

[Peter Frank]

42. It's Unpatriotic To Tell the Truth During an Unnecessary War...

Please apologize to those who can't handle the truth.