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Health Care Surtax on the Chopping Block

Dems waffle on high-income tax; timetable cloudy

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 21, 2009 7:54 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Democrats are growing queasy about their plan to tax the wealthy to help pay for health care reform, the New York Times reports. Nancy Pelosi yesterday suggested revising the contentious provision so that fewer households would have to pay the surtax. Under the current House draft, individuals earning more than $280,000, and couples earning more than $350,000 would have to pay. Pelosi wants those figures upped to $500,000 and $1 million.

The Senate, meanwhile, seems uninterested in having the tax at all, and House Democrats don’t want to vote for the tax if it won’t wind up in the final bill. The quandary has left the bill’s timetable cloudy. The Senate looks unlikely to vote before its Aug. 8 recess, and Pelosi has told Harry Reid that she can’t hold a vote until she’s clear on the Senate’s intentions.

Nancy Pelosi is joined by other Steny Hoyer, Pete Stark, Henry Waxman, Charles Rangel, and John Dingell, in a news conference announcing the introduction of health care legislation, July 14, 2009.
Nancy Pelosi is joined by other Steny Hoyer, Pete Stark, Henry Waxman, Charles Rangel, and John Dingell, in a news conference announcing the introduction of health care legislation, July 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Barack Obama talks about his plan for health care reform following a roundtable discussion with health care providers during a visit to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, Monday.
Barack Obama talks about his plan for health care reform following a roundtable discussion with health care providers during a visit to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, Monday.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
BackAgain
Jul 29, 2009 12:49 PM CDT
Can someone please hit this bitch.
NewserScooter
Jul 22, 2009 5:33 AM CDT
I think you nailed it!
NewserScooter
Jul 22, 2009 5:31 AM CDT
Here is a concept. Maybe if they are afraid of losing votes, it could be because the bill in question is NOT good for America. Responding to their electorate is what Democracy is all about. If the majority of people don't want their taxes raised, and their choices limited, and their medicine rationed, maybe, just maybe they should not vote for anything.

 
Nancy Pelosi • health care • Congress • taxes • Harry Reid • House of Representatives • health care reform • congressional Democrats • House Democrats

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