Senator Murray Says Democrats Will Let Tax Cuts Expire

[n2doc]

By JONATHAN WEISMAN
Senator Patty Murray of Washington, a member of the Democratic leadership, said on Monday that her party is prepared to allow all of the Bush-era tax cuts to expire and for automatic spending cuts to kick in unless Republicans give up their opposition to tax increases on the wealthy.

Ms. Murray’s tough line, in a speech at the Brookings Institution, signaled a stiffening of Democratic resolve a week after President Obama reiterated his demand for a one-year extension in the Bush-era tax cuts only for people earning less than $250,000. The Murray speech kicked off intense counterattacks from Republicans who charged that Democrats are steering the nation back into economic recession.

“In their near-fanatical crusade to inflict even more pain on American businesses, Democrats are now openly admitting that they plan to wait until this debate reaches full throttle and Americans are panicked about the outcome to do anything, because they think it will make it likelier they’ll get their way,” said Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader. “And if they don’t, then so be it. They’re ready to accept the economic and fiscal consequences.”

The rising volume on the debate may put to rest expectations that Democrats are preparing to quickly fold, as they did in 2010 when Mr. Obama agreed to extend all the expiring tax cuts for two years in exchange for his own payroll tax cuts and an extension of unemployment benefits. That two-year extension expires Jan. 1, which is also when more than $1 trillion in across-the-board spending cuts to defense and domestic programs over 10 years begin. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said if the nation hurtles over that “fiscal cliff,” the economy will likely lapse back into recession.

But Democrats are hanging tough, at least for now.

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http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/senator-murray-says-democrats-will-let-tax-cuts-expire/

[former9thward]

1. I hope they do.

Let all the tax cuts expire for everyone. That would be in the best interest of the country financially.

[Booster]

2. I'm willing to give up any tax cuts for myself if the rich pay their fair share.

[MiniMe]

8. Having the rich pay their fair share is a different battle

This move just won't renew the "temporary" tax cuts.

[Paka]

3. That's good news,

if they hold to it.

[n2doc]

4. They need to let them expire, then introduce a new plan

One that targets the lower 90% only. Let the Repubs vote against that.

[Flying Squirrel]

5. Exactly

I think we may finally be seeing the beginnings of a spine in our party. I know Murray well, she`s my Senator and I believe her.

[Wounded Bear]

7. She's MY Senator, too!

Gotta lover her for taking this stand.

I was a little wishy-washy the first time around, but this time we need to call their bluff.

The public is waking up.

[JoePhilly]

6. We have the advantage here for a very simple reason.

The GOP has been controlling events by simply ensuring that nothing happens. They block everything.

In this case, "doing nothing" fails for the GOP.

If nothing happens, the tax cuts for the rich expire.

Which means the GOP need something to happen to stop the tax cuts from happening.

The Dems can now "do nothing" and get what they want on this issue.

The GOP, who does not want to act, if forced to advocate for action. And they are too split to act.

The Dems, if they hold firm, hold the cards here.