Breaking…House leaders pull tax cut bill from the floor

Posted: December 16, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Democratic Politics, U.S. Politics | Tags: , , | 19 Comments

CNN Political Ticker:

As the debate over how the tax cut bill will be brought to the floor and voted on was wrapping up, House Democratic leaders abruptly PULLED the “rule” from the floor because they don’t know if they have enough votes to even bring the tax bill to the floor, according to a senior Democratic leadership aide.

Before the debate on the tax bill starts, the House first needs to pass the rule on how the debate and votes will go, with a simple majority vote. Because Republicans will all vote against the rule set by Democratic leaders – Pelosi and Democratic leaders need to pass the rule just with Democratic votes.

Apparently many Reps are still really unhappy with the bill, so we should all call, e-mail, or fax our reps and let them know how we feel.

USA Today:

Many liberals in the Democratic caucus are upset at the bill’s provision on estate taxes and want to amend the measure and send it back to the Senate. The problem is that Democrats would have to vote on the Senate-passed bill if they want to change the estate tax provision.

[….]

A deal is being worked out, according to DeFazio, that would allow liberals to offer an amendment that would change the estate-tax provision so that estates up to $7 million would be tax free for couples, with anything above that amount taxed at 45%.

That amendment also would include a plan by Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., to get rid of the 2% cut in payroll taxes in the bill, which some opponents believe would undermine Social Security. It would be replaced by a new infusion of the “Making Work Pay” tax credit of up to $400 for individuals and $800 for families that Obama included in last year’s massive economic stimulus package. Also, liberal Democrats want to include a $250 relief payment to seniors.

A little more detail from the Wall Street Journal:

A procedural motion setting rules for debate on the bill was scotched due to objections from Rep. Gene Taylor (D., Miss.) and other Democrats, lawmakers and aides said.

“There have been a number of issues raised. We need time to work it out,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D., Mass.), after the procedural motion was pulled from the floor.

Mr. McGovern said he believes the vote will still happen at some point Thursday, after leaders have time to consult with Democratic lawmakers on the way forward. “It’s a bump, I think it’ll be taken care of,” said Mr. McGovern.

Democrats who objected to the procedural motion said they wanted a chance to vote to change estate-tax provisions in the Senate bill, without having to vote in support of the rest of the Senate bill’s provisions.

I’ll post updates as I learn more. I wish this meant a real uprising by liberal reps, but I hate to get my hopes up only to have them dashed once again.

Status Quo redux

Posted: November 13, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: just because, The DNC | Tags: , , , | 35 Comments

It looks like the House Democrats have decided to stick with their leaders and then just add another.  In an interesting move, there’s now going to be a minority WHIP and something else. No one knows what the something else is but we know the something else person is Congressman Clyburn.   Each of these three represent some Democratic base.   WAPO has some of the details, but not that much.    Hoyer is still going to be whipping the blue dog contingent.

Trying to resolve a dispute among her top lieutenants, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday night indirectly backed her longtime adversary, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), to continue serving as her chief deputy.

Pelosi’s move came in an unusual statement late Friday night that endorsed Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) for the No. 3 post in the House Democratic leadership. Rather than endorse Clyburn for the current No. 3 position of caucus chairman, she plans to create a new, undefined leadership position for him, a leadership source explained Saturday.

Hoyer, the current majority leader, and Clyburn, the majority whip, are vying to be elected minority whip in the next Congress when House Democrats vote Wednesday. That position will rank second behind Pelosi, who is expected to be minority leader.

Pelosi’s statement amounted to an endorsement of keeping her leadership team intact, rather than trying to purify ranks for the party’s liberals, as some lawmakers and activists have urged.

To me, this is just another Democratic Party attempt to be all things to all parties and further splinter every one into segments.  Since Clyburn’s responsibilities haven’t really been announced, what duties will they give him?  His title–according to Politico–is Assistant Leader.  How does Hoyer feel about  what might seem a demotion yet he’s essential got the same title?  Or, will his entire job stay the same but he just gets called Number 3 instead of Number 2.  Rep. John Larson (Conn.) stays as Democratic Caucus chairman which is now the number four leadership position.  Weird.  Seems like they’re splitting one baby four ways, but maybe that’s just  me.  It is certainly seems apt for the completely splintered Democratic Party. I’ll give them that.