WASHINGTON — The Senate held two votes on the Bush tax cuts this week, ultimately deciding to extend them only for families earning less than $250,000. As part of a deal to hold votes on both proposals, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., agreed to drop the threat of a filibuster, meaning that each plan only needed a simple majority to pass rather than 60 votes. First, on Wednesday, the chamber voted on a Republican plan to extend the Bush tax cuts across the board for one year. That measure failed by a 45-54 margin, with Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., voting with the Republican minority and Sens. Scott Brown, R-Mass., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, voting with the Democrats.
U.S. Senate vote
• Extending Bush tax cuts
Merkley (D) Y
Wyden (D) Y
The Senate then voted on the Democrats’ plan, which would extend the tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000 but raise rates on higher earners. Under this plan, tax rates for income over $250,000 would revert to 36 percent, up from 33 percent. The tax rate for income over about $400,000 would rise to 39.6 percent from 35 percent. The measure passed, 51-48, with 50 Democrats and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont voting yes. Every Republican voted no, joined by Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.
U.S. Senate vote
• Increase tax rates on higher earners
Merkley (D) Y
Wyden (D) Y
On Thursday, the House passed a bill that would block any new regulations going into effect that would have a $50 million impact on the economy until the unemployment rate has reached 6 percent. The measure passed, 245-172, with 232 Republicans and 13 Democrats voting yes and 170 Democrats and two Republicans voting no.
U.S. House vote
• Block new regulations until unemployment falls
Walden (R) Y
Blumenauer (D) N
Bonamici (D) N
DeFazio (D) N
Schrader (D) N
The bill had originally called for a $100 million ceiling, but an amendment introduced by Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., lowered the figure to $50 million. The House passed the amendment by a 240 to 178 margin, with 226 Republicans and 14 Democrats voting in favor and 168 Democrats and 10 Republicans voting against.
U.S. House vote
• Lower ceiling on economic impact of blocked regulations
Walden (R) Y
Blumenauer (D) N
Bonamici (D) N
DeFazio (D) N
Schrader (D) N
— Andrew Clevenger, The Bulletin
