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Congress endorses tax hikes
Associated Press
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
WASHINGTON - Democrats in both House and Senate pressed ahead with budget plans that would saddle millions of Americans with higher tax bills in three years by allowing some or all of President Bush's reductions to die after he leaves office.
All three major presidential candidates interrupted their campaigns to cast votes on the budget plan, which is nonbinding but highlights the difficult choices on taxes and spending facing the next president and Congress.
Binding votes on the expiring Bush tax cuts will be left to his successor and the Congress that's elected in November.
The candidates also wanted a chance to vote for a one-year ban on pork-barrel projects, though that late-night Senate effort seemed doomed to defeat.
The practice of inserting "earmarked" spending into legislation is seen as a birthright by lawmakers in both parties - and a right under the power of the purse awarded to Congress by the Founding Fathers.
As for the $3 trillion federal budget plans, the House version would provide generous increases to domestic programs but bring the government's ledger back into the black by letting all of Bush's tax cuts expire at the end of 2010 as scheduled. That five-year plan passed the House on a 212-207 vote, with Republicans unanimously opposing it over what they argued was $683 billion in tax increases.
All three major presidential candidates interrupted their campaigns to cast votes on the budget plan, which is nonbinding but highlights the difficult choices on taxes and spending facing the next president and Congress.
Binding votes on the expiring Bush tax cuts will be left to his successor and the Congress that's elected in November.
The candidates also wanted a chance to vote for a one-year ban on pork-barrel projects, though that late-night Senate effort seemed doomed to defeat.
The practice of inserting "earmarked" spending into legislation is seen as a birthright by lawmakers in both parties - and a right under the power of the purse awarded to Congress by the Founding Fathers.
As for the $3 trillion federal budget plans, the House version would provide generous increases to domestic programs but bring the government's ledger back into the black by letting all of Bush's tax cuts expire at the end of 2010 as scheduled. That five-year plan passed the House on a 212-207 vote, with Republicans unanimously opposing it over what they argued was $683 billion in tax increases.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 7
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 3/14/08 @ 4:32 AM MST
There you go CSU you listened to the crap the Liberals and Democrats said about cleaning up the culture of corruption and you got Eliot Spitzer and many more Left scandals , a do nothing congress and now they show their true colors as they start their march to get to 50% of your paycheck in taxes. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 3/14/08 @ 8:48 AM MST
McCain Fiscally Responsible with an unshakable character and loyalty to America.
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 3/14/08 @ 8:57 AM MST
Ted Kennedy and McCain can you reach across the aisle any further than that.
Peace Love
posted 3/14/08 @ 9:13 PM MST
My Aunt had the gift, as a see'er of the future, and it has been passed on to me.
I don't know how or why.
This is my future prediction for every Democrat congress unto eternity. (Continued…)
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