The Hill: Reid Plans September Showdown on Extension of Tax Cuts

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Reid plans September showdown on extension of tax cuts
By Alexander Bolton - 08/04/10 08:36 PM ET

Senate Democrats will hold a September showdown over trillions of dollars in expiring tax cuts passed under President George W. Bush.

Senior Democrats had expected the controversial issue to be postponed until after the election, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to bring it up when lawmakers return from a five-week August recess.

That would make tax cuts a front-and-center issue in the days leading up to the midterm election. The debate promises to be contentious, pitting Democrats against Republicans, liberals against centrists and the Senate against the House.

“I expect it to be on the floor in September,” said Reid spokesman Jim Manley.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) acknowledged the Senate Democratic Conference remains uncertain how it will proceed, say sources familiar with talks about a package to extend tax cuts.

“Some members only want to extend the tax cuts for the middle class; some members want to extend all the tax cuts,” said a Democratic aide in reference to differences of opinion within the conference.

“We’re surveying members to see what could be in a package that wins 60 votes and protects the middle class,” said the source.

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http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/112641-reid-plans-september-showdown-on-bush-tax-cuts