Thursday, June 05, 2003

But I thought they didn't want a tax cut.

As Democratic presidential candidates demanded President Bush put pressure on reluctant House Republicans to expand the $400 tax credit to cover 12 million children of the working poor, Senate Democrats said late yesterday that they had a majority of senators -- 53, including seven Republicans -- in support of the expanded credit.

The dispute, over a relatively small $3.5 billion provision omitted from the $350 billion tax cut package, mushroomed into a high-profile political tussle after House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) was reported to be ruling out consideration of the package. In fact, DeLay had not made such a broad statement, but Democrats responded with outrage.

Let them make an issue of this. If Democrats wanted a tax cut they could have supported the one that was just passed. Had more Democrats voted for the measure, we could have gotten any number of special provisions.

Not only does this payoff go to people who don't even pay taxes, how can you ever get Democrats to support a tax cut compromise if they get what they want without voting for it?

Delay should offer the Democrats this provision if they are willing to climb aboard the other $350 Million of Bush's tax cut that was shelved.
Under the new legislation, those families earning about $10,000 to about $27,000 would not receive the full $400 checks that will be sent this summer. This is because the increased child credit was not made "refundable" -- or turned into a cash payment -- for those who do not pay enough in income taxes to benefit from the credit.

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said Republicans do not fear a backlash, as long as the public understands that it is families who don't pay taxes who are losing out on the credit. "This is a tax credit, not a . . . number-of-children benefit program," he said.

I'm glad everyone doesn't follow for the "something for nothing" mentality.

No comments:

Post a Comment