Senate Nixes Earmark Moratorium

McCain, Clinton And Obama All Vote For Pork-Barrel Break; Congress Moves To End Bush Tax Cuts

(CBS/AP)  The Senate rejected calls from both parties' presidential candidates to take an election-year break from pork-barrel spending as a Democratic-run Congress passed budget plans that would torpedo hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts won by President Bush.

John McCain, the GOP nominee-to-be, couldn't attract even a majority of Senate Republicans to vote with him Thursday night behind the earmark moratorium touted by party conservatives as a way to restore the GOP's credibility with voters. (Read more on earmark vote.)

It failed on a 71-29 vote. Only three Democrats joined with Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama in voting for it.

The underlying House and Senate Democratic federal budget plans for 2009, though nonbinding, drew blasts from Republicans for allowing some or all of Mr. Bush's tax cuts to die in about three years.

The House passed its $3 trillion budget plan by a 212-207 vote. It would provide generous increases to domestic programs but bring the government's ledger back into the black, but only by letting all of Bush's tax cuts expire at the end of 2010 as scheduled.

The Senate passed a companion plan by a 51-44 vote. It endorsed extending $340 billion of Mr. Bush's tax cuts but balked at continuing all of them. The competing versions head to talks in which the House is all but certain to accept the Senate's position endorsing tax cuts for the working poor, married couples, people with children and for those inheriting large estates.

All three major presidential candidates interrupted their campaigns for a Senate vote-o-rama that began before noon and included more than 40 roll calls.

Last month, President Bush's $3 trillion budget proposal projected deficits around $400 billion for 2008 and 2009.

Budget plans are nonbinding, but they highlight the difficult choices on taxes and spending facing the next president and Congress. Binding votes on the expiring Bush tax cuts will be left to his successor and the Congress that's elected in November.

The practice of inserting "earmarked" spending into legislation is seen by lawmakers in both parties as a birthright power of the purse awarded to Congress by the Founding Fathers.

Earmarks have exploded in number and cost in recent years, accompanied by charges of abuse and public outrage over egregious examples like the proposed "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, which would have cost more than $200 million to serve an island with a population of about 50.

McCain, who has battled with members of both parties over them for years, blamed pork barrel spending for the Republicans losing control of Congress in the 2006 elections.

"This may be the last bastion in America where they don't get it," he told reporters after Thursday night's vote. "Americans are sick and tired of the way we do business in Washington. As president, I promise the American people ... the first earmarked, pork-barrel bill that comes across my desk, I'll veto it."

However, on taxes, the Arizona Republican voted to extend the full roster of Mr. Bush's tax cuts, which he opposed seven years ago as being tilted in favor of the wealthy.

Democratic rivals Clinton of New York and Obama of Illinois both voted to extend only some of Mr. Bush's tax cuts while allowing cuts in income tax rates and investments to expire. They joined other Democrats in a 52-47 vote against extending $376 billion of them.

Republicans hope to use the votes as fodder for the heated presidential campaign and for congressional races. "Democrats are quietly but very assuredly paving the way for a massive, economy-choking, tax increase," said Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La.

Democrats said the plans would reverse years of deficits that have piled up during Mr. Bush's tenure. They said he squandered trillions of dollars in projected surpluses that he inherited in 2001.

"The Democratic budget continues to move our nation in a new direction and to clean up the fiscal train wreck caused by failed Republican economic policies over the last seven years," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Democrats argued that when the time comes, they'll renew tax cuts aimed at the middle class by closing billions of dollars worth of corporate and other tax loopholes. They also say billions more can be raised by cracking down on tax cheats.

In the House, Democrats defeated a GOP plan that would have extended Mr. Bush's reductions. The Republican plan also would have eliminated the alternative minimum tax, which was originally designed years ago to make sure rich people pay at least some tax but now threatens more than 20 million additional taxpayers with increases averaging $2,000.

Some 38 mostly moderate Republicans voted against their party's plan, which would have made cuts in popular programs like Medicare, housing, community development and the Medicaid health care program.

Congress' annual budget debate involves a nonbinding resolution that sets the stage for later bills affecting taxes, benefit programs such as Medicare and the annual appropriations bills. Unless such follow-up legislation is passed, however, the budget debate has little real effect and is mostly about making statements about party priorities.

This is such a year. Congress rarely tackles difficult budget issues as elections loom, and a standoff with Mr. Bush means that Democrats may even take a pass on advancing the 12 annual appropriations bills.

The first year of an administration is typically when heavy lifting on the budget is done, but all the candidates' campaign plans seem to promise more than they can deliver. McCain's tax cuts would require applying a meat cleaver to spending, while the Democrats promise spending that would enlarge the deficit or require large tax increases.

The White House forecasts the deficit for the current year at $410 billion, a near record.

Democrats trumpeted their plan for putting the budget back in balance while also making investments in infrastructure, education, community development, clean energy and other programs. It also would avoid $196 billion worth of Bush-proposed cuts to Medicare and the Medicaid health care program for the poor and disabled.

[bretster7]

veteran71 said,
The 8 year GOPig-O-Rama is just about over, and as the air clears, the Devistation to Our once Great Nation appears to be Complete and possibly Irreparable. As the Majority of America looks around, stunned at the devistation they face, Fat Asssed Neocon Scumbags waddle into the Sunset, pockets Bulging with Taxpayer Loot......
It''''s Good to Be a Greedy, Perverted, GOPerv Scumbag.....


Perfect example of the new tone tollerance the left is always talking about. LOL

[bretster7]

Wake up,
It is not a tax issue it is a spending issue. Since the Bush tax cuts the Gubment has taken in MORE in revenue each and every year, that is what happens when you lower the rates, it is a historical fact. The problem is spending by BOTH parties.
The Dem''s want to raise taxes by doing away with the present tax cuts. Bad thing to do when the economy has taken a CYCLICAL down turn(remember Carter?)They also want to raise spending by 8% per year without cutting any wasteful programs. This translates to 1.3 trillion dollars the first 3 years and over 4 trillion dollars over the next ten. That means anyone who earns $30,000 per year or more will have an average tax increase of about $2,100. So it won''t be the "rich" that will be footing the bill(of course the dems and the media will play the class envy card and sell it to you that way)it will be what is left of the middle class. suddenly it will be 1977 all over again.

[parrot2ok]

LOL,still reading part of my posts and then commenting,eh,pinheadPosted by jesterbelle

Oh, okay, so when you said "righties", you meant people who are right handed. Reread your rant.
Posted by katg21 at 10:31 AM : Mar 14, 2008

You''ll never get it. Cheers!

[antoniof123]

Democrats are quietly but very assuredly paving the way for a massive, economy-choking, tax increase.

Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La

He forgot to add thta the Republicans given the chance they had almost were able to destroy America. You had your chance and you blew it. By the way 11 percent source that is incorrect. Even it that is the case if you split it between Democrats and Republicans you will find that it is so low because the Republicans are the ones draging it down. We gave congress to the Democrats and took it away we also knew that the Republicas would try to get their way even at our expense. Novemember will be a bloodbath for the GOP.

[gunownerdan]

Dirty democrats and rotten republicans will destroy America - IF WE LET THEM.

[mbcsmith]

This is why the LIB congress has a 11% approval rating.

[katg21]

LOOK Sparky, it''''s called the Government OF the PEOPLE, By the PEOPLE and FOR the PEOPLE... that includes EVERYONE and not just you Sicko''''s.Posted by MCVet

Oh really, yet you would be willing to give all of YOUR power and money to the government? You want to pay more taxes, you want them to take control of your healthcare ( they are taking such good care of your social security), you want them to take all of your guns, you want them to take your money and give it to people who live here illegally, etc... You are right, it''''s called the Government OF the PEOPLE, By the PEOPLE and FOR the PEOPLE... and not a socialist government.

[katg21]

My wages levelled off years ago,and everything else keeps going out of sight.I don''''t take aid,and couldn''''t even qualify for it if I wanted too.Work two jobs?I''''m 51 yrs old.Besides,whatever extra I earn is taken in taxes,it doesn''''t help me.Posted by jesterbelle

Hey, I live near Detroit, believe me I understand where you are coming from. We are in a one state recession here, the rest of the country will be fine. You people don''t know recession. To make matters worse, our idiotic Governor and the dem lead legislature forced tax increases upon small businesses and property. No one will move here because businesses are closing and no one can sell their homes. It sucks.

[Latrocinor]

all I want is ticket out of this place.Any donors?

Posted by jesterbelle

----------------------------------------------
Where would you want to go?

[Latrocinor]

Gotta have pork to get re-elected and Pork greases the wheels of Washington. Without pork the wheels of government would grind to a halt.

[jesterbelle]

How are you being punished, exactly?


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Posted by katg21 at 10:16 AM : Mar 14, 2008

I''m going to answer this one question,and then i''m not going to bother with your stupidity again.My wages levelled off years ago,and everything else keeps going out of sight.I don''t take aid,and couldn''t even qualify for it if I wanted too.Work two jobs?I''m 51 yrs old.Besides,whatever extra I earn is taken in taxes,it doesn''t help me.I''m a firm believer that anyone in this country that is working a full time job should not have to take aid to make ends meet.Why are you so worried about me anyway?Is it because deep down you know that the way I feel is going to spread to others?Got news for you,I''m not alone.

[mcvet]

And just how do you think Hillary and Obama are going to pay for all of the things they are promising? FOOL! Maybe not a victem though, because while I''''m working my *** off, you''''ll be digging in my pockets for your entitlements.


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Posted by katg21 at 10:24 AM : Mar 14, 2008
+ report abuse

LOOK Sparky, it''s called the Government OF the PEOPLE, By the PEOPLE and FOR the PEOPLE... that includes EVERYONE and not just you Sicko''s. You LOVE the protection of this nation, you LOVE the freedom of this nation but when it come''s to doing YOUR part... well you never have and I doubt you ever will. We need to go back to what works here. We need to make sure we elect people who won''t just promise to cut taxes and fake "Spending Cuts". IF a sicko Politician want''s to cut taxes to you slugs fine, let them tell the American People UP FRONT what they intend to cut on the spending side to pay for it. This TRASH of giving Tax Cuts and BORROWING Money to pay for them because they don''t have the courage to tell people what THEY must give up to give you losers a tax cut isn''t working very well. Sieg Heil Bush

[katg21]

Two wars, neither have been one
$600 Bill and counting
Economy on the verge of collapse if you listen to some economistsPosted by FloydZepp

You worship the leftwing media and the *** they are spewing. Our economy experiences a down turn approximately every two years...that''s about now. It takes approx. 10 months to turn it around - FACT. What goes down must come up, visa versa. So stop buying into the doom and gloom. As for the war, last I heard they weren''t free. If our military wouldn''t have been so severely depleated under Clinton, the war wouldn''t have cost as much.

[pepperp1]

So again, tell me how the Dems are gonna do worse than MY OWN PARTY?

You blurt anti-Dem mantras like a pavlovian dog while ignoring the sins of the Republicans In Name Only GOP.


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Posted by FloydZepp at 10:22 AM : Mar 14, 2008

Exactly we need to take our country back and get these fringe loons hooks out of our souls we are not victims to corrupt pols, we are the power in this country, this is the enemy to our prosperity Party before We The People both Parties I was going to vote against my Senator because of Party but guess what he voted to stop the rape of the American Peoples.

[pepperp1]

The AP says Obama has not responded to repeated requests to release his earmark legislation for six of his eightyears in the Illinois Senate. Yet, he''s criticizing Hillary on this score:

While silent about Obama''s spending in Illinois, his campaign has criticized Democratic presidential rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for withholding similar information about her years in the U.S. Senate.
Obama communications director Robert Gibbs said Thursday that her position should prompt voters to "ask why she doesn''t believe they have the right to know she wants to spend their tax dollars."


So Obama is demanding McCain release all earmarks sicking the attack dogs on him but he refuses to release his own another nod and wink attack as a defense to hide behind, and hhhhh wonder if his refusal has something to do with that FEDERAL REZKO corruptions trial his political Patron going on bet Fitzgerald would love to have that info. Write the Dems and demand to see Obamas earmarks and discover call his bluff, what is he hiding this time, did steer our tax dollars to his indicted buddies companies and or that GOD DAMMMNN America church of his?

[katg21]

LOL,still reading part of my posts and then commenting,eh,pinheadPosted by jesterbelle

Oh, okay, so when you said "righties", you meant people who are right handed. Reread your rant.

[katg21]

Doubled the National Debt in 7 years.
Run a DEFICIT every year for 7 years
INCREASED the Size of Government by creating a Bloated Department of Fatherland Security.
Trashed the 4th Amendment.

So again, tell me how the Dems are gonna do worse than MY OWN PARTY?

You blurt anti-Dem mantras like a pavlovian dog while ignoring the sins of the Republicans In Name Only GOP.
Posted by FloydZepp

Haven''t ignored a *** thing, thank you very much. There just happens to be more "sins" committed by the dems than can be said of any republican. Why hasn''t your beloved party gotten anything done since taking the majority? I''ll tell you why, partisan bullsh!t!

[katg21]

And all the while they continue running up the Countrys credit card bill to pay for the nondiscretionary laws and obligation which is also a deferred tax increase that cant be used for growth.

FOOL Victim, so its you who should make you sick.
Posted by pepperp1

And just how do you think Hillary and Obama are going to pay for all of the things they are promising? FOOL! Maybe not a victem though, because while I''m working my *** off, you''ll be digging in my pockets for your entitlements.

[jesterbelle]

So, only republicans are christian? You really are an idiot.


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Posted by katg21 at 10:04 AM : Mar 14, 2008

LOL,still reading part of my posts and then commenting,eh,pinhead.Did you even understand this one?Seems as if you didn''t.I forgot the passage where Jesus said to horde everything and keep your foot on your brothers''neck.Maybe you can get Hagee to show me ehere it''s at.You can call yourselves Chritians if you want,but your fruit proves you are not.Prove me wrong,all I want is ticket out of this place.Any donors?

[pepperp1]

Posted by katg21 at 10:02 AM : Mar 14, 2008
+ report abuse


Get off it Taxes are not a Party issue you%u2019re the one who make me sick WHAH the other guy did it, Republican say their low tax there not they are the worst offenders, bridge to no where ring a BELL...stop letting Parties divide us the cut our power to stop their spending, its you giving the Pols a pass with your wrongheaded party loyalty before Country.

Its YOU, you allow stupid wedgies to divide We the People cutting our collective power while Republicans Tax and Steal and Democrats Tax and spend and they collectively together moved 45 percent to the discretionary BUCKET EARMARKS for non essential services and are passing out our hard earned money to their pet goat Causes while you and I dem, rep and I foot the bill.
And you attack your neighbor for the Pol harming our Country, your being Played.

And all the while they continue running up the Countrys credit card bill to pay for the nondiscretionary laws and obligation which is also a deferred tax increase that cant be used for growth.

FOOL Victim, so its you who should make you sick.