Senate stops Reid's millionaire tax measure

[babsbunny]

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/171191-senate-stops-reids-millionaire-tax-resolution

By Josiah Ryan - 07/13/11 11:11 AM ET

Senate Republicans voted on Wednesday to block Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) millionaire tax resolution from further floor proceedings.

That 51-49 vote likely spells the end for the measure, which does not carry the force of law and calls for higher taxes on people earning $1 million or more in a year. The measure required 60 votes to proceed.

Reid put forward the proposal last Tuesday as a way to meet Republican demands to begin considering bills related to the debt-ceiling and budget-deficit crises.

Since Reid offered the resolution, it has become a favorite punching bag for Republicans who have derided it as a waste of the Senate's time.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) roasted Democratic leadership over the resolution last Wednesday, claiming it was a cheap stunt.

[muntrv]

1. Doesn't matter Orrin! You and your fellow republickers went on record

saying millionaires should not have to pay more taxes.

[Scuba]

2. I thought the Democrats controlled the Senate. Was I asleep for two years?

[pnwmom]

5. You must have been if you didn't know about the filibuster. n/t

[Scuba]

6. I've never heard of a fillibuster....

...with a 51-49 vote outcome.

[pnwmom]

7. We are no longer close to the 60 Senators we would need to sustain a filibuster.

Since we aren't, a few of our Senators from more conservative states are free to vote in a way that will help them with their conservative constituents -- without changing the outcome of the vote. In other words, even if every single Democrat had voted for Reid's measure, the Rethugs would have succeeded in a filibuster against it anyway. So it doesn't matter if a few of them deserted the Democratic fold for this particular vote.

[Scuba]

8. Yeah, it does matter. They're not representing Democratic values...

...when they vote with the Repugs.



I believe the right-wing has effectively infiltrated the Democratic Party on many levels in many places.

[pnwmom]

10. Symbolic votes aren't usually very effective at getting things done. n/t

[malaise]

3. Poor stupid ReTHUGS

They're now on the record defending the rich yet again

[pnwmom]

4. Not the "Senate." You should have said, "Senate Republicans."

Since we weren't even close to the 60 votes required, a few of our Dems from conservative states could vote with the Rethugs without affecting the outcome of the vote.

[LonePirate]

9. Who are the two Dem defectors? Manchin and Nelson?

[LiberalAndProud]

11. We'll lose more blue dogs over this.

Looking at the comments in our local paper, it would appear that Ben Nelson has forfeited the Democratic vote. And in the end, it matters little. His votes so rarely support the Democrats, that I don't feel too bad that he will probably be replaced by a Republican.

The future of the Senate isn't looking particularly bright in 2012, is it?

[Scuba]

13. Why not replace him with a "real" Democrat? It's obvious he's a ....

...wolf in sheep's clothing.

[LiberalAndProud]

14. There is no primary challenger.

As opposed to (I think) six Republican candidates. I can't describe how difficult it is to get a Democrat elected in this state. Many many offices have no Dem candidate on the slate.

I am seriously thinking of changing my voter registration so I can choose the most reasonable Republican. But those are rare around here too.

[bertman]

12. The Senate is dysfunctional except when it comes to passing 'patriotic' laws

and budgets designed to militarize the planet and increase corporate profits while lowering taxes on the rich.

Doesn't matter if it's controlled by "Democrats" or Republicans.

nt