Reid blasts Republicans for not extending Bush-era tax cuts

The Hill ^ | June 30, 2010 | Jay Heflin

[jazusamo]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday blamed Republican stalling tactics for not being able to extend tax breaks that were enacted under President George W. Bush.

"Maybe if they stop stalling everything that comes to the floor we might be able to get to that stuff," he told reporters, adding, "We'll get to that when we get through unemployment insurance, Wall Street reform, and a few other things."

Congress passed the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 when Republicans controlled both chambers. Those tax breaks, which benefit a large swath of the economy, are slated to expire in January.

Republicans have long argued that extending these tax breaks is necessary to keep the economy from sliding back into a recession. Democratic leaders have vowed to pass them as soon as possible.

But delays in the Senate are causing a bottleneck in the upper chamber, with the House passing legislation that can never be debated in the Senate, largely because of Republicans making use of the filibuster option.

Democrats back the extension of tax cuts benefiting the middle class, as well as protecting them from the alternative minimum tax. They would also like to keep the estate tax from reverting back to pre-2001 levels, when estates worth roughly $1.2 million were slapped with a 55 percent tax.

Most tax lobbyists expect Congress to extend these measure for two years, which some congressional sources say could cost more than $250 billion.

Also, under pay-as-you-go rules, a two-year extension of these provisions does not have to be offset.

[jazusamo]

He's not called Dingy Harry for nothing. If both parties want to extend the tax breaks like he says he should take a couple hours and pass it.

[llevrok]

Oh, puhhhhleeeeze, Harry! Give us a break!!

[Pollster1]

So if we fold completely, then maybe after passing their entire socialist agenda and dismantling the United States as we know it, they might bring tax cuts up for debate? No, thank you.

[chris_bdba]

What a lying POS! He has no intention of bringing this to the floor but he sure can fake it. Unfortunately the dem voters are dumb enough to buy this.

[PLD]

Let it rest Harry, don't keep blaming Bush for all your idiotic stunts..Can you just realize you will be out in Nov,maybe that will give you some peace to know you won't have to blame anyone else for your stupidity

[tobyhill]

This is too funny. The Rats never intended to extend the tax breaks but I never thought they could possibly blame the Republicans for it when they control every chamber of congress and the Presidency.

[GonzoGOP]

As Senate majority leader he controls the schedule. Bring it up for a vote today and pass it. If not STFU Harry.

[kevao]

Those tax breaks, which benefit a large swath of the economy, are slated to expire in January.

It's beyond words, the stupidity of the GOP having passed these tax cuts with expiration dates. Democrats never do anything so stupid.

[Stormdog]

Harry, you really think that we are that stupid, don’t you?

[caver]

Hey Harry, you got the votes without the Pubbies help. Fire away.

[jazusamo]

Well said...Reid is so lame on this is almost laughable, the RATS have been pretty clear that they’re not going to extend the cuts.

[VeniVidiVici]

Also, under pay-as-you-go rules, a two-year extension of these provisions does not have to be offset.

LOL! As if the Democrats have ever been worried about "pay-as-you-go" rules.

[Army Air Corps]

Those tax breaks, which benefit a large swath of the economy, are slated to expire in January.

Dems cannot get their stories straight. How many times have we heard that the "Bush Tax Cuts" only benefitted the "wealthy" (this changes depending on the current DNC definition of "wealthy")? Now, he says that they benefitted a large number of Americans. Which is it, guys?

[februus]

I thought this was a Scrappleface article for a second there.

[lonestar]

Dirty Harry would be more appropriate.

[Southack]

That’s psychotic.

[Wyatt's Torch]

He’s nucking futs...

[nmh]

HOW can this BE?

Isn’t it the Demoncrats that don’t want this?

The audacity of the LYING that is going on is over the top!

[RockinRight]

It’s going to be so sweet when he concedes this fall to Angle.

(let’s hope)

[Southack]

"It's beyond words, the stupidity of the GOP having passed these tax cuts with expiration dates. Democrats never do anything so stupid."

Incorrect. It is you who is stupid, too. Democrats put an expiration date into the 1994 Assault Weapons Bill (AWB). The AWB expired in 2004.