–House GOP Leader Boehner: Vote ‘Does Undercut’ Bipartisan Tax Talks
–Rep. Boehner: House Dems Are ‘Playing Games’ With Thursday Tax Vote
–Senate GOP Leader McConnell: All Bush Era Tax Cuts Will Be Extended
–Sen. McConnell: Only Issue Is ‘How Long’ Tax Cuts Will Be Extended

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – House Republican Leader John Boehner and Senate
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Wednesday blasted House Democrats for
scheduling a vote Thursday on a bill that renews the middle class
portion of the Bush era tax cuts.

At a briefing with several newly elected Republican governors,
Boehner and McConnell said they are perplexed and displeased with the
House vote that is set for Thursday.

“It does undercut the bipartisan negotiations on extending the Bush
era tax cuts,” Boehner said.

He accused Democrats of “playing games” by scheduling a House vote
Thursday 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.

“It’s not going anywhere,” McConnell said, adding there is an
agreement between the White House and GOP leaders on extending all of
the Bush era tax cuts.

The only issue, McConnell said, is “just how long that extension
will be.”

Earlier in the day, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the
House will go forward with a vote Thursday on a tax cut package that
includes extending the Bush era tax cuts for the middle class.

Hoyer said that he believes it’s important for the House to vote on
a plan that extends the Bush tax cuts for individuals making up to
$200,000 and couples earning up to $250,000 and includes AMT relief and
other items.

Hoyer said that this vote “should not undermine” the negotiations
that have just begun between Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, White
House budget director Jack Lew and four congressional negotiators.

Hoyer said the House vote is not designed to put Republicans in a
“difficult place” but to express the views of the Democratic majority
that controls the House for the rest of this year.

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

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