–House Approves Scaled-Back Plan in Two Votes
–House Passes Tax Extenders, UI Benefits Package in 215 to 204 Vote
–House Oks Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ in 245 to 171 Vote
–Senate Expected To Take Up Extenders Bill Week of June 7
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – In two votes, the House approved Friday a $113
billion package of tax cuts and benefit extensions.
The package passed by the House would extend about a dozen tax cuts
that expired at the end of last year, expand unemployment benefits, and
provide a 19 month extension of current Medicare payments for doctors,
the so-called “doc fix.”
The House approved the package in two pieces: it passed the tax and
benefit extensions on a 215 to 204 vote and a change in Medicare
payments for doctors on a 245 to 171 vote.
The combined package would add about $54 billion to the deficit
over a decade.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill would boost job creation
in a fiscally responsible way.
Rep. Dave Camp, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means
Committee, said the package would increase the deficit and throw up
impediments to the fledgling economic recovery.
Now that the has House passed the tax extenders and benefit
package, the Senate will take up the plan when it returns from its
Memorial Day recess the week of June 7.
The package approved Friday was the third attempt by House
Democratic leaders to assemble a tax and benefit package that could
clear the House.
At the beginning of the week, Democratic leaders unveiled a $192
billion plan which was later scaled back to $144 billion.
When that plan was not able to attract sufficient Democratic
support to pass, House Democratic leaders scaled it back even further.
The House will still vote Friday on a defense authorization bill
before beginning its Memorial Day break.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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