House barely kills Democratic drive to restrict tax cuts

[Judi Lynn]

House barely kills Democratic drive to restrict tax cuts

By Alan Fram
ASSOCIATED PRESS
2:22 p.m. March 30, 2004

WASHINGTON – The House killed a Democratic drive Tuesday to make it tougher for lawmakers to reduce taxes, as Republicans by the slimmest of margins rescued President Bush's tax-cutting agenda from an embarrassing rebuke.

The 209-209 tally – one shy of the majority Democrats needed to prevail – came only after the chamber's GOP leaders held the roll call open an extra 23 minutes so they could coax several Republicans to switch their votes.

Eleven Republicans, mostly moderates from the Northeast and Midwest, ended up voting for the nonbinding Democratic provision, which urged House budget negotiators to accept Senate-approved curbs on new tax cuts.

Though Republicans prevailed, the vote underscored how election-year concern over record federal deficits may be eroding Republican solidarity over President Bush's tax-cutting agenda. This year's shortfall is projected to near an unprecedented $500 billion.
(snip/...)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20040330-1422-taxcuts-deficit.html

[pinto]

1. even under the spin, and this was a nonbinding motion, it does provide

a snapshot of House concern about the deficit and it's erosion on the overall economy. Deficit = Bush's tax on our children and grandchildren. Politics remain local....

[theoceansnerves]

2. what?

another effin' roll call held open?! where's the outrage over these tactics??

[pinto]

3. I know, it's become standard op with the Repugs....

[Vogon_Glory]

4. It's Gonna Be tougher Next Time

It's gonna be tougher to restore fiscal responsibility after the next Congress takes office, especially if Tom DeLay's gerrymandering scheme gets the High sign from the appeals courts. Had more progressives shown up to vote in the 2000 and 2002 Texas state elections, Grand Theft Vote-O would have been squashed before it started and De Lay and his stooges would never have had the electoral strength to pull off their scheme.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Good point, VogonGlory. That truth hasn't settled in for a lot of us, yet.

IF they can't win, they cheat.