Boehner Back on Message over Bush Tax Cuts

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Trying to get back on the GOP tax message, House minority leader John Boehner told reporters this morning that he's going to fight to extend all the Bush tax cuts this year before they expire December 31, 2010.

On CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday, Boehner told CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer that he would vote for a package that extended middle class tax cuts and let the upper-income tax cuts expire if that was his only option. His comments caused the GOP to scramble, with House Republican leaders Eric Cantor and Mike Pence coming out strongly saying that Republicans will only stand for a full extension of the cuts.

When asked today if Mr. Boehner stood by his comments on Sunday, Boehner avoided the question.

"I said Sunday about five times that I want to extend all of the current tax rates, and that's what the American people want," Boehner said.

Even when a reporter followed up asking Boehner if it came down to it, would he vote for a package that just extended the middle class cuts, Boehner was right back on message saying that Speaker Nancy Pelosi should support his plan to cut spending and extend all tax cuts.

"I want to extend all of the current tax rates," Boehner said again. "I want the speaker to allow a fair and open debate on our two-point plan, because if we extend the current tax rates and we're able to cut spending, we'll reduce some of the uncertainty coming out of Washington, D.C., and employers will then have the ability to continue to create jobs in America."

President Obama and House Democratic leaders only want to extend those tax cuts for individuals making $200,000 less and families making $250,000 or less. It is still unclear, however, if House Democrats will vote on a tax package before the November elections. Numerous members of their own party, moderate and politically vulnerable Democrats, don't want to vote on a tax increase right before an election -- if ever. Some of those members, led by Reps. James Matheson (D-Utah), Melissa Bean (D-Ill.), Glenn Nye (D-Ill.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), plan to release a letter later today asking Pelosi to consider extending all tax cuts.

Democratic leadership meanwhile, have been showing members polls that find the majority of Americans support allowing tax cuts for the wealthy to expire.

When asked about tax cuts today, House majority leader Steny Hoyer would only say, "We haven't decided what we're going to do. We'll see and we're discussing it."

Hoyer did say that he prefers only extending middle class tax cuts, but said, "I'm always prepared to discuss alternatives so we can move forward."

Some of the discussions are within the House Democratic caucus, but there are also ongoing conversations with the Senate, where passing the extensions will be a heavy lift. House Democratic leaders want some indication of what the Senate can do and if they can go first, so that House Democrats don't vote for a tax increase that won't become a reality.

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Jill Jackson is a CBS News senior political producer. You can read more of her posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow her on Twitter.

[oldman47701]

people people---career politicians big problem..terms big problem..remember 1776--reasons..maybe time again..
http://electivedecisions.wordpress.com/the-tax-list/

as for corp's paying---NO NO---WE pay...high prices of good's/services--lay off's...we get stuck in END..GET IT...WE ALL WILL..

[PacificGatePost]

After almost two years of demonizing corporate America, holding a ?boot to its neck,? and doing nothing for small businesses, Obama suddenly pretends to reverse himself with a ?corporate tax break.?

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2010/09/more-erratic-economic-notions-from.html

America is looking for a firm policy statement such as immediate major cuts in government spending.

[noloyalisti]

Boy, his corporate masters took out the cat-of-nine-tails quick.

[noloyalisti]

Only 1% of US households (13,500 families) received over 21% of the wages in America. CEOs are making thousands of time more than the workers that actually produce the wealth. I paid more US taxes in 2009 than Exxon.

What is wrong with this picture. Join The Other 98% and take this thing apart so we can fix it.

[Cru09]

This is BS, if you're making 250k, you're getting taxed at the bracket below except for the few pennies above 250.

Letting the cuts expire for the top bracket would catch all of the multi-millionaires and billionaires that derive their wealth from property investments and capital gains.

This whole thing is nonsense that's just going to let the rich continue getting richer and drive the gap further apart. But don't tell that to the shills, they're too busy defending executive pay that's 111 times the average worker's pay when the rest of the world pays their executives a tenth that.

I'm sure they'd counter that this fosters competition, but seriously, ten times the pay? There's room for reduction there and still keep it competitive. All of this, just to have them send the common man's jobs overseas... This country is screwed.

[davejung]

I just wish these great Republican tax cuts could save me some money. But, I'm afraid I don't make nearly enough to benefit from them. So Ill continue to be one of the people who end up paying for the cuts all the rich folk like Boehner get. Must be great to be rich and republican in America. PS I'm still waiting for all that trickle down cash to reach me from the overstuffed pockets of the rich!

[omega42]

Hmmmmm, Three days ago he was genius that as some sort of chess master had outmaneuvered the Dems and the pundits. Today he is "back on message".

[Otto Holland]

Look, don't blame Boehner or even a bone head; blame the voters who are too ignorant to understand the tricks and trade of the 2%. If everyone within the 2% vote for the GOP and their tax cut for the 2%; they'll not have enough votes to win an election in Alaska.
The ignorance of the remaining 98% is what amaze me. Those same people who cry socialism and hate the liberal policies; yet, they say "don't touch my Medicare" Silly people....

[lv_mike]

All I have to say is....the Democrats that are against the President's issue better look at this tax issue a little better because if they vote against it....well, that's voting against the middle class and that, in my mind is a "kamikaze" move. Political suicide.