GOP tempts Democrats with perks for votes on banning estate tax

[Rose Siding]

Sweetening the Deal
Sparing no expense to win votes for estate-tax cuts, Republicans propose to revive generous business-travel deductions for spouses to appeal to Democrats from tourism-dependent states such as Hawaii.

Tucked into a House-passed estate- tax bill is a provision authorizing what amounts to a 17-month holiday during which the more-relaxed rules — predating 1993 tax changes — would again apply. The temporary arrangement would end Jan. 1, 2008, at an estimated cost to the Treasury of almost $60 million.

House tax writers have repeatedly rejected such efforts to revive the spousal- travel deduction, which had a history of abuse. Nonetheless, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R., Calif.) added it to the new estate-tax package in an apparent effort to woo Sen. Daniel Akaka (D., Hawaii) into supporting the bill in a showdown Senate vote Friday.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) remains confident that his party can again deny Republicans the 60 votes needed to cut off debate. But the roll call will be close, and the Republican willingness to spend on tax sweeteners and new spending to win votes is striking.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2006/08/02/sweetening-the-deal/

[unblock]

1. how f*cking pathetic!

[msongs]

2. travel and food tax breaks are bogus nt

everyone has to eat, it should not be deductible. if you want to eat at a five star restaurant, it should not be deductible.
wanna save business expense,fly coach. first class should not be deductible.


no spousal expenses should be deductible. that's welfare.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/2007politicalcalendars.htm

[Totallybushed]

3. Sneaky bastards!

Why can't they just have a vote on the merits of a minimum wage increase, and separately, on the merits of the estate-tax, and let them all face the voters in November?!

[zbdent]

4. wait, that reminds me of something ... I think it's called

BRIBERY!

Isn't that supposed to be illegal?