–Senate Leaders Hone Tax Cut Talking Points On Bush Tax Cuts
–Senate Majority Leader: GOP ‘Holding Hostage’ Middle Class Tax Cuts
–Senate Minority Leader: Dems Aim To Hike Taxes in ‘Middle’ of Downturn

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday
that he expects the Senate to vote on extending at least some of the
Bush tax cuts before leaving Washington this fall to campaign for the
mid-term elections.

In comments to reporters after a Senate Democratic policy luncheon,
Reid would not elaborate on when the Senate vote will be.

He said he has begun talks with Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell on a procedure that is “something reasonable” on Senate votes
on tax cuts.

Both Reid and McConnell, in back to back briefings, showed that
they have spent their summers away from Washington honing their tax cut
messages.

Both Senate leaders repeated their tax cut messages, almost word
for word, regardless of how questions on tax cuts were phrased.

Reid said Democrats are determined to “protect the middle class” by
extending tax cuts for individuals making up to $200,000 and couples
earning up to $250,000.

The Senate Majority Leader said Republicans are threatening to
“hold hostage” these tax cuts by insisting that all of the 2001 and 2003
tax cuts be extended, including those for the top 2% of income earners.

“Until millionaires get what they want, the middle class won’t get
what they need,” Reid said, claiming to summarize the GOP philosophy.

McConnell was equally disciplined–even relentless–in repeating
his tax cut talking points.

The Democrats, McConnell said, are determined to “raise taxes in
the middle of a recession.”

“We ought not raise taxes on anyone in the middle of a recession,”
he said.

The Senate Republican leader said that the central problem facing
U.S. fiscal policy is too much spending.

“We have a spending problem. We spend too much,” McConnell said.

The Obama administration and congressional Democrats have
repeatedly said that tax cuts for individuals making up to $200,000 and
couples earning up to $250,000 should be extended.

Congressional Republican leaders have supported extending all of
the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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