House Democratic leaders pull the tax bill from the House floor

[sabra]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN) – As the debate over how the tax cut bill will be brought to the floor and voted on was wrapping up, House Democratic leaders abruptly PULLED the "rule" from the floor because they don't know if they have enough votes to even bring the tax bill to the floor, according to a senior Democratic leadership aide.

Before the debate on the tax bill starts, the House first needs to pass the rule on how the debate and votes will go, with a simple majority vote. Because Republicans will all vote against the rule set by Democratic leaders – Pelosi and Democratic leaders need to pass the rule just with Democratic votes.

With so many House Democrats unhappy with the tax bill, many don't want to even bring it up, so leaders pulled the bill and are "whipping it" according to the Democratic leadership aide – counting to make sure they can even pass the rule.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/16/breaking-house-democratic-leaders-pull-the-tax-bill-from-the-house-floor/

[elleng]

1. Aren't there 2 bills in their 'pocket?'

[IamK]

10. Don't worry...Whatever one passes will be on the internet for 5 days before signed. as promised..

[robinlynne]

2. sounds like good news? if the repugs are fighting aginst how they do it, that must mean

that Pelosi and friends have significantly changed the bill? Otherwise the repugs would all be in favor.
just guessing here.

[Creative]

9. Word is, Republicans are turning against it too.

If this doesn't pass, who knows what will happen in the next session.

[newscott]

3. So once again there is no "one bill?" This smells

like the midnight raises they pulled off a generation ago.

Prepare to be completely boondoggled.

[sirthomas66]

14. That's what I'm thinking. If that Social Security Tax Holiday passes

Democrats won't be elected again for decades as the Republicans defund Social Security.

[aquart]

4. Don't bring it to the floor. Don't do it.

Wrangle and brangle and play Republican BUT DON'T BRING THIS BILL TO A VOTE.

It saves too few of us and destroys too many of us.

Sunset.

[movonne]

17. You said it right....it will destroy all of us and only save the few it

does help.. will not last and then we all suffer...

[wisteria]

5. I suppose this development will make some people happy.

Not me however, and not those who are unemployed and need unemployment to be extended so they can at least eat and perhaps keep a roof over their heads. Oh, and of course the middle class who have been struggling through this recession.
But, to hell with them, it is more important to make a point and ignore the suffering of people.

[diane in sf]

6. Better to let this bill die and work with funding the unemployed separately

let the Republicans be holding the bag for stopping funding for the unemployed. I don't think they'll get in the way of continued unemployment payments very long--it would make too good a campaign story for Dems later.

[MannyGoldstein]

7. +1 nt

[Plucketeer]

11. Boy, do I AGREE!

Let it DIE! Let it be in the GOP's lap. Let Obama see how we're getting tired of him trampling HIS OWN promises. There's consequences to the audacity of hype!

[sirthomas66]

16. Exactly!

[Lorien]

18. Amen Diane! nt

[Vincardog]

8. Are we 99ers to be forgotten forever? I feel for you but I have been without relief for years

Passing this bill will just enable the GOP to say that "We can not afford to do anything because of Obama's Debts"
Cutting SS tax only strengthens their fraudulent claims about SS insolvency.

Passing this bill does not help anyone

[Plucketeer]

12. How RIGHT you are!

The GOP has "played" this administration like a Stradavarius. Belting out a tune to make an elephant swoon!

Matter of fact, if Obama runs for a second term, look for an endorsement from "W".





OBAMA - GOP Plan for the 98% of us.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

13. Unemployment benefits can and should be handled separately

As personal as I know it is for some of you (and my sister falls in the same class), this bill is bad. It doesn't cover the 99ers, it doesn't extend unemployment benefits long enough or provide funds for retraining, it doesn't even say that the extension will begin immediately or be retroactive.

What we lose forever is significant. First of all, the "payroll tax holiday" will never end, and thus Social Security will be underfunded and even worse become a budget item rather than a separate trust fund. Second, the Bush tax cuts will be made permanent in 2012 for the same reasons they are being extended now. This will destroy any chance for funding social programs, repairing the infrastructure, providing educational assistance, etc. -- anything not relating to growing the military.

Finally, the reduction in the estate tax is just a Christmas gift to the top 2%, who each will be able to avoid paying taxes on millions or billions of estate funds. This is significant because the rich already don't pay their fair share of income tax, even though Bernie Goldberg on Fox says, "We should be grateful for the rich." The actual percentage after creative accounting and legislative slight-of-hand is closer to 15% of income -- a lot less than the middle and lower classes are taxed.

The Repugs -- and I'm sorry to say Obama -- are dangling the unemployment benefit carrot so people won't notice it's hanging over a bottomless pit. There are other ways to solve the unemployment problem and do it efficiently and effectively. This is not a "take it or leave it" situation, even though it's being forced down our throats as one.

[sirthomas66]

15. Right, the folks who hoped for Social Security some day should lay

down and forgetaboutit. Who cares? You would get and extension of unemployment payments no matter what. Do you think the Republicans are going to simply not grant that and lose the voters tempis fugate?

[tomp]

20. just plain stupid.

the void of logic on du sometimes is breathtaking.

[Kingofalldems]

19. Fight on!