How did the Congress (House and Senate) contribute to the tax compromise?

[Skidmore]

Really.

Take a good hard look at the dynamics of that institution. They have a role in this mess too. What level of blame to you think they share? What actions or inactions created the vacuum into which this became a solution?

What did you expect?

[cali]

1. it's difficult to assess just how much of the blame they bear, but

certainly, there is some. The leadership could have insisted to the prez that they deal with the issue early in 2009.

[Skidmore]

2. I would suggest that the leadership did not want to deal with anything

so complex. They were aready looking toward the next election and planning campaign slogans, picking off low hanging fruit first. Oh, there's plenty of blame to fall on our fine legislators...both parties.

[catgirl]

3. They couldn't get unemployment benefits passed

Otherwise, all tax cuts would have expired. Ultimately, tax cuts were Obama's ammunition to get UB passed.
Of course, the whole deal will be filibustered now.

[SmileyRose]

4. According to one of Congressman David Scott's people

The Democratic leadership was at the table in every facet of negotiations with the Republican leadership. He said there's more going on behind the scenes than we realize and that the Republicans are scrambling not to be seen as the "kidnappers". He could be full of hog sneeze. I would expect anything in Congress is more complicated than most people realize.