Senate acts for the 2012 record

“Senate blocks legislation to extend Bush-era tax cuts

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Senate blocks bill on upper income tax cuts

Senate Republicans have blocked legislation allowing taxes to rise on upper income taxpayers on Jan 1. The vote Saturday was 53-36, seven short of the 60 needed to advance the measure. (Dec. 4)

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By Shailagh Murray

Sunday, December 5, 2010; 12:45 AM

The Senate on Saturday rejected two Democratic proposals to let tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire, a symbolic but bitter defeat that now forces the Democratic majority to compromise with Republicans or risk allowing tax breaks to lapse for virtually everyone at year's end.

Efforts quickly shifted to negotiations that would temporarily extend the Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans, an outcome that seemed increasingly likely. The pair of nearly party-line votes - one to preserve the tax cuts for only the first $250,000 of family income, and the other for the first $1 million of income - also represented a final stand for Democrats as the session winds down and political posturing gives way to pragmatic dealmaking.”