GOP Senators Willing To Accept a "Tit for Tat" Compromise on Tax Cut Extension

[one...two...tree 2,762]

WASHINGTON — Leading senators from both parties on Sunday sketched the broad outline of a compromise to extend the expiring Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans in exchange for another extension of benefits for the millions of long-term unemployed.

The outlines of compromise emerged after Republicans quashed an extension of unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed last week and then Senate Democrats failed on Saturday to cut off debate in order to pass legislation that would extend the tax cuts for all but the top 2 percent of earners.

With each side unable to impose its will, talks involving the administration are accelerating as all sides now seek middle ground ahead of a self-imposed congressional deadline of Dec. 17.

"It's pretty clear now that taxes are not going up on anybody in the middle of a recession," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," adding that "I think we will extend unemployment insurance" and that "all of those discussions are still under way."

McConnell also clarified that he doesn't think there's enough time before a congressional recess to repeal the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy and allow for openly gay members of the armed services.

Appearing on the CBS show "Face the Nation," Senate Republican whip Jon Kyl of Arizona said that compromise talks are focusing on another extension of unemployment insurance and an "extension for some period of time" of the Bush-era tax cuts. Talk is now centered on a two-year extension, perhaps three years.

Senate Democratic whip Richard Durbin of Illinois, a guest on the same show, acknowledged that any deal would be a quid pro quo.

"Without unemployment benefits being extended, this is a non-starter," Durbin said, adding that it would be unacceptable for Congress to fail during the holidays to extend jobless benefits for 6.3 million Americans who've been out of work now for longer than six months.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/12/05/104743/outline-emerges-of-deal-to-extend.html#ixzz17Kz6skcw

[mawilson 2,133]

So much for reducing the deficit, eh?

Not only do they want to extend the Bush tax cuts, they want to add billions more to our debt to pay people not to work?

[^_^ 5,021]

So much for reducing the deficit, eh?

Not only do they want to extend the Bush tax cuts, they want to add billions more to our debt to pay people not to work?

Deficit peacocking is just how they get elected. They don't actually mean it.

[mawilson 2,133]

Deficit peacocking is just how they get elected. They don't actually mean it.

Fuckin' Republican-Democrat regimers.

[Captain Oates 910]

Deficit peacocking is just how they get elected. They don't actually mean it.

I like the idea of trading '####### for tat' as I have the largest stockpile of tat in Washington State

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It truly amuses me how these people have no problem spending other people's money.

The US Government a serial rapist who charges its victims for the priviledge of being raped.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm expecting some bomb threats or demonstrations outside the offices of these GOP Senators any time now, from the mad-as-hell voters as they get even more outraged.

Edited December 6, 2010 by 8TBVBN

[^_^ 5,021]

I'm expecting some bomb threats or demonstrations outside the offices of these GOP Senators any time now, from the mad-as-hell voters as they get even more outraged.

Funny.