–Senate Majority Leader Says Middle Class Tax Cuts Are Top Goal
–Sen. Reid: ‘Extremely Important’ To Vote On Middle Class Tax Cuts
–Sen. Reid: Appoints Senate Finance Chief Baucus To Tax Cut Talks
–Sen. Durbin: ‘Essential’ That UI Extension Be Part of Any Tax Deal

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday
that he hopes the tax cut negotiations between Congress and the White
House “come up with a bipartisan proposal,” but then added that he still
wants the Senate to vote on a middle class tax cut plan.

In comments after a Senate Democratic party luncheon, Reid said
“the number one priority” of Democrats is to “protect the middle class.”

Reid said Senate Democrats believe it is “extremely important” to
hold a vote on a plan to extend the Bush era tax cuts for those
individuals making $200,000 or less and couples making $250,000 or less.

Reid declined to discuss the procedural roadmap ahead regarding tax
cut extension votes.

Reid said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus would
represent Senate Democrats in the tax cuts talks.

Four congressional representatives — a House Democrat and a House
Republican and a Senate Democrat and a Senate Republican — will
negotiate the tax cut issue with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and
White House budget director Jack Lew.

House Republican leader John Boehner has appointed Rep. David Camp,
the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, to
represent House Republicans. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell
has appointed Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl to represent Senate
Republicans in the talks.

Speaking moments before Reid, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin said
that he “assumed” there would be no Senate votes on tax plans while the
talks on the Bush tax cuts continue.

Durbin also said it was “absolutely essential” that an extension of
unemployment insurance be part of any tax cut agreement.

House Democratic leaders had been preparing to hold a vote later
this week on a bill to extend the Bush era tax cuts only for those
individuals making $200,000 or less and couples making $250,000 or less.

** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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