Well, Well, Well
The Democrats actually showed some spine yesterday. They managed to block the passage of the minimum wage/estate tax cut bill by using procedural smarts. From the NY Times.
Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked legislation tying the first minimum wage increase in almost a decade to a decrease in the federal estate tax, denying Republicans a legislative victory as lawmakers head into a crucial month of campaigning before the November elections.
Republican backers of the measure, dubbed the trifecta for its three chief elements, fell 4 votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate. Democrats had argued that it was a bad bargain to exchange a $2.10 wage increase for struggling workers for a costly tax cut for the country’s wealthiest families.
“This trifecta is a high-stakes gamble with America’s future,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat. “This is the worst special-interest bill I have seen in my time in Congress.”
...Mr. Frist and his allies in business viewed the wage increase, stretched over three years, as an acceptable trade-off for a permanent reduction in the estate tax and $38 billion in tax breaks and federal aid that constituted the third part of the measure. But they could not overcome intense opposition from Democrats and organized labor. [Emphasis added]
While I am relieved that the GOP got a smackdown for its cynical tying of the wage increase with the estate tax cut, I am disgusted that it took five years and a nearing election for the Democrats to get their collective act together. This kind of maneuvering would have prevented the horrific bankruptcy act, blocked the appointments of some pretty awful nominees, and forced both the Emperor and the GOP into more reasonable stances. Instead, the Democrats decided to go along to get along.
More like this, please.
[Note: the roll call vote can be checked here.]
Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked legislation tying the first minimum wage increase in almost a decade to a decrease in the federal estate tax, denying Republicans a legislative victory as lawmakers head into a crucial month of campaigning before the November elections.
Republican backers of the measure, dubbed the trifecta for its three chief elements, fell 4 votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate. Democrats had argued that it was a bad bargain to exchange a $2.10 wage increase for struggling workers for a costly tax cut for the country’s wealthiest families.
“This trifecta is a high-stakes gamble with America’s future,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat. “This is the worst special-interest bill I have seen in my time in Congress.”
...Mr. Frist and his allies in business viewed the wage increase, stretched over three years, as an acceptable trade-off for a permanent reduction in the estate tax and $38 billion in tax breaks and federal aid that constituted the third part of the measure. But they could not overcome intense opposition from Democrats and organized labor. [Emphasis added]
While I am relieved that the GOP got a smackdown for its cynical tying of the wage increase with the estate tax cut, I am disgusted that it took five years and a nearing election for the Democrats to get their collective act together. This kind of maneuvering would have prevented the horrific bankruptcy act, blocked the appointments of some pretty awful nominees, and forced both the Emperor and the GOP into more reasonable stances. Instead, the Democrats decided to go along to get along.
More like this, please.
[Note: the roll call vote can be checked here.]
posted by Diane at 3:55 AM
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