–Senate Majority Leader: Trying To Find Formula To Pass Tax Bill
–Sen. Reid: ‘Trying To Work Something Out’ On State Aid
–Senate Minority Leader McConnell Says Dem Plans Boost Deficit
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday
that he is examining ways to refine a $115 billion tax cut and benefit
expansion bill so that it can pass the Senate.
“We’re going to make some changes,” Reid said to reporters after a
Senate Democratic policy luncheon.
The tax cut and benefits package, which Democrats describe as a
jobs bill, has already been pared back from nearly $200 billion to $115
billion.
But an effort late last week to end debate on the bill failed, so
Reid is trying to rework the package yet again.
He said that one area of possible adjustment is assistance to state
governments
“We’re trying to work something out,” on this provision, Reid said.
The underlying bill would extend about a dozen tax cuts that
expired at the end of last year, expand unemployment benefits, and
provide an extension of current Medicare payments for doctors, the
so-called “doc fix.”
Frustrated by the stalemate, Reid pushed through on Friday a six
month extension of “doc fix.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking after Reid, said
Republicans continue to be concerned about the deficit increasing
consequences of both the tax extenders bill and the war spending package
which cost $59 billion when it was approved by the Senate.
McConnell also said Democrats are poised to increase taxes to allow
for more “Washington spending.”
“They are heading in exactly the wrong direction,” McConnell said.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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