Reid Sets Up Tax Cut Vote for Monday

Reid Sets Up Tax Cut Vote for Monday

By David M. Drucker
Roll Call Staff

Legislation to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts was introduced in the Senate on Thursday evening, as Democrats reluctantly signed off on a deal brokered by President Barack Obama and Congressional Republican leaders.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed cloture on a motion to cut off debate and scheduled a vote on that motion for 3 p.m. Monday, which could clear the way for Members to leave town for the weekend. Passage of the legislation in the Senate appears likely, but it remains unclear whether a sufficient number of House Democrats will climb on board to clear it.

Upon introducing the measure, Reid employed a procedural maneuver known as “filling the tree” to prevent any amendments from being filed against the bill. The maneuver was meant to protect the bill from poisonous additions that could sink it and to ensure that the measure clears the chamber as is.

Not everyone was happy.

“It is, in my view, a bad deal,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on the Senate floor following the bill’s introduction. “I think we can do better.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also expressed disappointment. Before some procedural votes that cleared the way for the legislation to be formally introduced, Reid could be seen arguing with Brown on the Senate floor.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more,” an exasperated Reid could be overheard telling a visibly frustrated Brown. “It’s the best I could do.”

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