Government

Dem Lawmakers May Drop Millionaire Tax in Year-End Dispute

Senate Democrats Drop Millionaires Tax

(The Blaze/AP) Democratic lawmakers are considering whether to jettison their demand for a millionaires’ surtax, which they had hoped to use to cover the cost of a Social Security payroll tax cut extension for millions of wage-earners, officials said Wednesday.

No decisions had been made, the officials stressed. If party leaders go ahead, it would mark a concession to Republicans in the year-end standoff over the tax cut extension that President Barack Obama requested and leaders in both parties say they want.

The officials declined to be identified by name because they were discussing legislative strategy.

The disclosure came as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other leading Democrats went to the White House to meet with Obama. The subject of that meeting was not announced.

The developments occurred one day after the Republican-controlled House approved legislation to extend the payroll tax cut, renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and head off a threatened 27 percent cut in payments to doctors who treat Medicare patients.

Obama has threatened to veto the bill, in part because it also mandates the construction of an oil pipeline from Canada to Texas.

However, Senate Democrats have been unable to advance an alternative measure, in large part because Republicans are almost unanimously opposed to higher taxes. In its most recent form, the Democratic plan would have slapped a 1.9 percent surtax on income over $1 million, raising an estimated $140 billion over a decade.

Comments (38)

  • WORD_WARRIOR
    Posted on December 15, 2011 at 2:07am

    DEMOCRATIC MATH 1 + 1 = 15 Trillion… and, some change… Not the kinda CHANGE you thought!!! Where is the press on the $250K…. K, For killing,.. of the middle class????

    Report Post » WORD_WARRIOR  
  • texanpatriot
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:52pm

    In a related story, all of the idiot GOP candidates forgot who they are running against and instead are slicing each other to pieces. Can we get one adult to run for President this time?

    The enemy and political beliefs we are running against this time are Obama/Communists. I am fuming that we will see every dirty jab now being made in an ad during the run next fall.

    What idiots – are these the best the country can offer up? There are a few still running that hopefully can bubble up to the top but it is a long shot. The rest act like the current Congress. I can’t keep track of the he said/she said and whose on first, or second.

    Currently checking rentals in Ireland…

    Report Post » texanpatriot  
  • Dug2Dark
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:24pm

    Dear Santa
    Please give us a 3rd party, who is run by adults. Our goverment is run by a bunch of childish fools.

    Dear gov.
    Please quit acting like a bunch of children & grow the hell up.

    Report Post » Dug2Dark  
    • The Third Archon
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:25pm

      Pssh, yeah right.

      How awesome would that be, but I think you are asking a little much, even for a guy that can travel through time.

      Report Post » The Third Archon  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:41pm

    “the Democratic plan would have slapped a 1.9 percent surtax on income over $1 million”
    …bringing the grand total, with the STILL-IN-EFFECT Bush era tax cuts, of taxation on income exceeding what we call 400k (an overestimate) to 36%. ~39% if the cuts expire.

    Which is still a PITTANCE compared to what is has been in the past.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • Hobbs57
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 10:49pm

      I was thinking the same thing. Honestly, I have no problem with it considering the taxes of the past. However, I had seen a very interesting statistic about the worth of money in the different point in history. Meaning a million in 75 might be worth 22 million today. In other words, there were very few people in the super high tax bracket. The revenue our government generates should be enough, I am just plain tired of all of them. This world just keeps printing more and more money , it’s ridiculous… Soon , a war will break out. I don’t think we are in as bad of shape as we could be, considering we have the largest printing press. This is the main reason China and Russia can’t get ahead of Europe. I mean, what does Europe produce, really ?? China ships that stuff every where in the world, Australia was swamped with it.

      Report Post » Hobbs57  
  • sbenard
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:21pm

    To Reid and the Teleprompter Tyrant, bipartisanship means, “heads, I win, tails, you lose!”

    Report Post » sbenard  
  • packsack54
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:58pm

    One simple way to this problem. Get rid of all the old farts and DS in washington and start fresh. That only 535 on the unemployment, then see if they could find work, they will find the money that was stolen from the taxpayors. Their salaries and penison should be gone as they did a poor job. In the real world they should have been fired years ago, but they have taken the money from the working person and gave it away for the job. Then cut all government wages to a reasonible amount. Let say government gets 15% and state 5% of wages. No more sales or excise taxes that is hide in most produces. Everyone the same in god eyes, if they want more they can donate it. It freedom of choice. Even corporation taxes should be flat rate of 15%. Dividents and capital gains at a rate of 15%. Then people who are already on SS and have mult-million will not recieve any more money.
    JUst a few items. I’m not sure if this would make a difference as we are borrowing 43 cents on every day we spend. It can not last. Most of the rich has a feather nest already. Remember do on to others as you would have done to you. That called fairness, but most congress & senators are nothing but LCT, and rules do not applied to them. Are they above the law? One p-ssed off taxpayer.
    We need 100 million more I hope to solve this mess.

    Report Post »  
    • ramburner
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:15pm

      I agree that ALL of the people’s people n the House AND the Senate should be voted out if they have exceeded two terms! We need afresh slate and a return to God and the Constitution! I also agree with the flat tax idea, however, I do NOT believe it needs to be more than 10%. What we MUST do, is install Term Limits and then repeal ALL bills Obummer has so freely imprisoned us with. Next, cut most departments, including the Department of Education, who have allowed revisionist history to be taught to generations of children. This action would clean up the expense of government overhead. Once the EPA has been all but gutted, our real entrepreneurs can get back to work restarting the engine that drives the capitalist society without fear of being shut down over silly stuff. We MUST regain the world‘s respect by becoming and maintaining the world’s leaders in business and innovation. Throw the bums ou of office, change the polls, vote Bachmann/Santorum in 2012.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:38pm

    It’s weird how all these career politicians always leave office richer than when they started,they never want to get a real productive job.This millionaire’s tax is classic class warfare to appease the libs,progressives and communists in congress.It wouldn’t have been used to pay down the debt,they would have wasted it like they always do.

    Barry is just going by the numbers in his Alinsky play book,you know the one dedicated to Lucifer.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • gdv7987
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:32pm

    what did you expect from O-socialist/O-communist?? Do you think the Progressive Republicans will be any better??

    Report Post »  
  • Bill Burns
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:50pm

    The millionaire tax turns out to be a bluff.
    O-blame-O could screw up a rock fight.
    .
    O has destroyed this country for the next 2 generations.

    Report Post » Bill Burns  
    • sWampy
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:52pm

      Like so many liberals progressives before him. ;-(

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:08pm

      They don’t have to tax the rich more. The damage is already done just by creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that they might raise taxes later. Not to mention all the unnecessary regulations. Job creators are still in ‘wait and see’ mode.
      Thanks for nothing Dems.

      Report Post » Rational Man  
  • let us prey
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:24pm

    Here it comes [we are delaying our Christmas break to work for the people]. Blahblahblah.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • asmurff
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:18pm

    Why isn’t the Republican Leadership going to the White House also? Obvoiusly Obama and the Democrats look at it as a us against them, not what is best for the United States.

    Report Post »  
    • bdwatcher
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:29pm

      You know what, you are right. The Republicans should go en-mass and confront Obama, Reid and Polosi and demand what the people are telling them to do, and, they are trying to do what they were elected to do. NO NEW TAXES! SMALLER GOVERNMENT! YOUR FRICKIN CREDIT CARD IS CUT OFFFFFFF!!!!!

      Report Post » bdwatcher  
    • bhohater
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:58pm

      It’s war, and in war you don’t let the enemy inside your tent.

      Report Post » bhohater  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:03pm

    They dropped it cuz most of them would have to pay it…

    Report Post »  
  • TommyGuns
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:56pm

    It’s another sleight of hand! The surtax on incomes over $1 million would have raised $140 billion over ten years. Meanwhile, the cost of extending the payroll tax reduction would come in one year. Does anybody see a problem with this? Instead of living within its means, the government, or at least Harry Reid and the Democrats, want to borrow the money next year and pay it off over ten years, as if that’s going to happen! And they wonder why so many of us have lost trust and faith in the government!

    Report Post » TommyGuns  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:06pm

      Harry Reid nauseates me almost as much as the dictator himself.

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
  • M4920
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:54pm

    I hope this is true….. thank God for the Tea Party and other conservatives.
    And the Keystone Pipeline? Where might those 20,000 jobs end up?

    I‘ve never heard of a ’lot lizard’, but I can assure you Mr. Beck is not one. Now let’s recognize a true American and standing/backing up for what he believes whether we agree w/him or not.

    Report Post »  
    • NoRoomForSocialismHere
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:13pm

      Illegal aliens and foriegn national visas take care of all jobs new and old, Courteously of both sides of Congress

      Report Post »  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:52pm

    There is never a discussion of “legislative strategy”, only how to buy the needed vote strategy. Not one of these s.o.b.‘s is concerned with what’s best for our country – only what will keep them in office for another term…no matter what the cost to The Taxpayer.

    Report Post »  
    • NoRoomForSocialismHere
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:15pm

      That business lobby knows who to buy on both sides

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:56pm

      Oh, good god, it‘s isn’t a problem with business, it’s a problem with corruption, and ultimately lawyers. All these screwy rules that even allowed the bribery, racketeering, and other shenanigans that everyone in Washington engage in, liberals, conservatives, businesses, unions, would have never been allowed. The very idea of buying or blackmailing a congressman is against the very fiber of this nation, and must stop.

      Report Post »  
  • pdr
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:51pm

    I hope the country is paying attention and not taking at face value what they are told by the media and the democratic leaders. These people have gotten so used to lying and or stretching the truth, they do know what truth is. As a voter I ask for truth and honesty. Nothing more. With that, let me make the decision.

    Report Post »  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:14pm

      Agreed. With the State media and all DINO’s in the Senate (i.e. Marxists, progressives, etc.) it is very difficult to decipher truth. BUT – A SIMPLE RULE OF THUMB – Whatever you hear from the mainstream media or the DINO’s is the LIE, so you can often uncover the truth by clearing away the lies.

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
  • cuinsong
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:50pm

    The term “STOP SPENDING” does not mean find ways to pay for more spending!
    This is partly why I write music!
    http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9134749

    Report Post » cuinsong  
  • AvengerK
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:48pm

    A student of politics has to applaud the House Republicans on this one. If the Dems agree to no surtax we’ve got a pipeline that opens up over 20,000 jobs right away and many more peripheral ones. They’re paying for a tax cut with spending cuts in this bill not raised taxes. With a pipeline opening up you get new growth and revenue. Clearly Reid weighed up the options and realized Obama‘s veto of this wouldnt’ sit well with Americans. Obama must be getting more grey by the second. If the pipeline goes through his green voters will roast him. The liberal media will shame him for caving to the GOP and not raising taxes on “the one percent”.

    Report Post »  
  • mtnhimike
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:44pm

    Democrats…..YOU LOSE…get over it pass the bill and move on and go home for your Christmas paid vacation at the expense of the American Taxpayer.

    Report Post »  
  • AvengerK
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:39pm

    Don’t for one second believe this is the democrats waking up to themselves. They‘ve weighed the scenarios and realized Obama’s veto of this will hurt him politically. It was a brilliant move by house republicans to get a bill through for Harry Reid to play his games with.

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:36pm

    I heard Beck speak allot of political truth on Obama but when he says the GOP is as progressive as the Dem’s, he is crazy as a lot lizard. Anyone is in the know on our political history is well aware of who has blown all the money on unnecessary crap, the Dem’s!

    Report Post »  
    • NoRoomForSocialismHere
      Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:32pm

      @GARYM
      GOP-RINO-Republicans are Progressive and my enemy. Globalism, WTO, NWO, remove OUR Sovereignty and borders while forcing multiculturism by not enforcing OUR LAWS! They might as well be commies

      Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on December 14, 2011 at 5:33pm

    If it’s not a part of the socialist tax or take from the wealthy and give to the middle class agenda, the dems are against it. It makes the dems look like they care. It is a smoke screen people, they really don’t care whether anyone but them has any money or they would not be trying to break the country putting us in an unprecidented 15 trillion dollar deficit!

    Report Post »  

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