Tax fight brawl heads toward expected deal: aides

[barty730]

Tax fight brawl heads toward expected deal: aides
While independent economists say extending the tax cut would boost the
economy at a critical time, both parties have been struggling to agree
on a compromise deal in a rerun of this year's budget battles that have
knocked investor confidence in Washington's ability to deal with its
fiscal problems.
Both parties are under pressure to strike a deal at a time of economic
difficulty. Failure to do so would mean an effective tax hike for
millions of voters in 2012, when Republicans and Democrats will face off
in presidential and congressional elections.
"The optics politically to be seen blocking an extension of payroll tax
is lousy -- and neither wants their fingerprints of blame on it for not
getting it done before Christmas," said Ethan Siegal of The Washington
Exchange, a private firm that tracks Washington for institutional
investors.
Senior party aides predicted on Friday that common ground would be soon
be found to extend a reduction of the payroll tax, which helps fund the
Social Security federal retirement program, and renew jobless benefits
for millions of Americans.
"Everybody figures it will happen. It has to. No one wants to raise
taxes or end jobless benefits," one aide said. "The only real question
if it will be next week or the week after."
KEYSTONE BARGAINING CHIP
Republican lawmakers have been skeptical of extending the tax cut, set
to expire on December 31, questioning its stimulative effect on the
economy. But party leaders, fearing a voter backlash, have drawn up
legislation to woo them and blunt Democratic efforts to paint
Republicans as the party of the rich.
House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top U.S. Republican,
said on Friday the Republican-controlled chamber would pass his party's
plan, formally unveiled on Friday, early next week.
The measure would be funded largely by extending a pay freeze on federal
workers. It includes a provision to speed up development of the
Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL oil pipeline project, despite President
Barack Obama's threat to veto any Republican effort to link the two
issues.
Backers of the project say it will create tens of thousands of jobs and
help tackle a chronically high unemployment rate.
Boehner sought to put the ball in Obama's court, saying, "It is my hope
that the president will accept this measure so that Americans can see
that we are still capable of working together to the meet the challenges
we face."
The White House rejected the latest Republican proposal, saying its
costs needed to be offset in a balanced away and not with budget cuts
exempting the rich.
Obama has delayed a decision on the pipeline pending further studies on
a new route. That would push the decision past next year's election and
avoid angering environmentalists before the 2012 campaign.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, dismissed the Republican
proposal, saying, "If the House sends us their bill with Keystone in it,
they are just wasting valuable time because it will not pass the
Senate."
Dozens of House Democrats have backed the Keystone project in the past,
raising hopes among Republicans an agreement could be reached on the
issue as part of an overall deal to extend the payroll tax.
Boehner crafted the provision to mesh with a proposal already endorsed
by 39 Republican senators and one Democrat, Joe Manchin of West
Virginia.
"I believe the Senate will pass it," Republican Senator John Hoeven told
Reuters, citing support from unions for construction jobs created by the
pipeline, and explaining the measure allows for additional study on the
new route through Nebraska.
But a Democratic aide sketched out another scenario - where Democrats
drop their proposal for offsetting the cost of the tax payroll cut with
a surtax on millionaires in return for Republicans backing off on
Keystone.
Another potential area for compromise is on the Republican demand for
tougher requirements on eligibility for jobless benefits. They want to
gradually reduce the maximum number of weeks for benefits to 59 from
99.
Democratic and Republican aides predicted Reid and Boehner would meet in
the next few days to negotiate a final deal.




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barty730