Is it true that the Bush Tax Cuts expiration is tied to Unemployment Benefits Extentions?

[newmexicodem]

I think the Bush Tax Cuts that are set to expire in Jan 2013 should expire. However......will it be hard to let them expire since they are tied to the unemployment benefits extention. Is it possible that the GOP will use the unemployment extention carrot as a bargaining ploy to get their way again

[Roselma]

1. Sort of...Last December, in order to get a one-year extension

of long-term federal unemployment benefits, to get a vote on the START treaty, health care for 911 workers, and a few other sweeteners, Congress and Obama agreed to a two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts. So, in January 2012 (an election year, no less), the long-term federal unemployment benefits expire then in 2013, the Bush tax cuts expire.