Yesterday the Senate held two votes without filibusters. Have you regained consciousness? Apparently McConnell allowed it so Republicans can claim that Democrats voted to raise YOUR taxes. Unless YOU are a millionaire or billionaire, that is a lie. The Republican bill would extend all the Bush tax cuts. Since they are already slated to expire, voting against their bill was not a vote to raise taxes. It was a vote to leave earlier legislation unchanged. The Democratic Bill would lower rates to present levels for all but the top 2% as soon as the Bush tax cuts expire. It is not a tax increase. It is an entirely new tax cut for the poor and middle classes. It did put the entire Republican Party on record voting against a tax cut for 98% of Americans.
The Senate voted 51 to 48 Wednesday to approve highly contested legislation that would raise taxes on high income earners while lowering taxes on middle income earners.
Vice President Joe Biden made the trip to Capitol Hill to preside over the vote on the Democratic measure, dubbed the Middle Class Tax Cut Act. It aims to raise taxes on high income earners while preserving tax cuts for 114 million middle income taxpayers. Democrats estimate that would save every person $1,000 to $1,600 in 2013 should it become law.
"Republicans should not hold the middle class tax cut hostage," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said in remarks prior to the vote. "All you folks who love to give tax cuts to the millionaires, our bill does that–the first $250,000 they make they are treated just like a middle class family."…
…The president issued this statement after the vote:
With the Senate’s vote, the House Republicans are now the only people left in Washington holding hostage the middle-class tax cuts for 98% of Americans and nearly every small business owner. The last thing a typical middle class family can afford is a $2,200 tax hike at the beginning of next year. It’s time for House Republicans to drop their demand for another $1 trillion giveaway to the wealthiest Americans and give our families and small businesses the financial security and certainty that they need. Our economy isn’t built from the top-down, it’s built from a strong and growing middle class, and that’s who we should be fighting for.
… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <PBS>
Photo credit: National People’s Action
The following worthless scum goose-stepped with the Republicans by opposing tax cuts for the 98%:
LIEberman (Asshole-CT), Webb (DINO-VA)
One bought DINO bastard goose-stepped with the Republicans by favoring the Bush tax cuts for the 2%.
Pryor (DINO-AR)
Since the Constitution requires that all bills pertaining to taxes must begin in the House, this bill was technically dead the second it passed. Ezra Klein covered this story and interviewed Norm Ornstein and Tom Mann to show why this is the worst Congress in History, and that Republicans have been responsible for it.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Note that Ornstein is no bleeding heart liberal. He represents the AEI, an extreme right organization strongly associated with the Neocon movement. For him to admit the truth about today’s Republican Party required considerable courage. I was shocked to see it. Kudos!
Although the bill did not start in the House, this would not be the first time that the Senate has initiated a tax bill, and the House has taken it up, introduced and passed it, and then returned it to the Senate for approval. Thus the only thing standing between the US and the fiscal cliff is Republican insistence on welfare for the rich. That’s what makes "off the cliff" the best strategy.
12 Responses to “The Important Vote that Doesn’t Count”
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Funny when the Democrats had the house it was made to look like nothing was done. I think the whole worlds knows that the 2010 congress has done nothing and they should be fired. And do they do nothing to make Obama a one term President. Obama is holding his own in the ads. Is anyone even listening? Does anyone even care? Sure you hear the complainers and they always vote the same yr. after yr. Will Sept. and Oct. be any different? I think even if you donot approve of Obama's handling of the economy,they dislike Romney more. Its a wash and Obama will win. Because people like Obama. No one like Romney. So Obama/Biden runs against Romney/money. Obama or money who will come out on top?
Mama, I hope your right, but there is a large enthusiasm gap that favors Republicans.
Perhaps the votes didn't mean much given that all tax related bills have to originate in the House. But as you say TC, "this would not be the first time that the Senate has initiated a tax bill, and the House has taken it up, introduced and passed it, and then returned it to the Senate for approval."
What I find amusing is Jabber Jowls McConnell saying, on record, that the only reason the Republican/Teabaggers didn't filibuster the Democratic bill was because it didn't adhere to constitutional rules, mainly that all taxation bills must originate in the House, and therefore it could not become law. If ever there was an admission of obstruction, that was it!
That was so obvious that it flew right over my head. Good catch!
Beady-eyes doesn't think things out so well. Meaning, at all.
Hmmm… You'ree saying that Bought Bitch Mitch even thinks?
The important aspect of the votes taken is the American people should pay attention to who is obstructing the government. When Ninja turtle McConnell thinks it doesn't matter, there is no obstruction. He actually admitted that they don't care about what happens in our country as long as the "black man" is out of the White House.
Patty, I fully agree, but they're not likely to learn anything important from the MSM.
"Since the Constitution requires that all bills pertaining to taxes must begin in the House, this bill was technically dead the second it passed."
Poppy Cock – "Thus the only thing standing between the US and the fiscal cliff is Republican insistence on welfare for the rich. That’s what makes "off the cliff" the best strategy." I am the 99%… 🙂
You are? But you don't look fat at all! 😉
Man do I agree!!! You are a wise Man TC—: Seems like the "OFF THE CLIFF" option is very feasible- It has to end-
Not so much, Phyllis. This isn't rocket science. Anyone willing to make the effort can find this stuff.