House Passes Another Ill-fated AMT Bill

The House approved another bill to save 23 million Americans from the alternative minimum tax Wednesday night that has little chance of becoming law.

House Democrats, in an effort to maintain their campaign pledge, are putting pressure on their Senate colleagues to approve a one-year AMT patch that pays for itself. But Senate Republicans oppose those efforts - and some Senate Democrats are reluctant to test their opposition - forcing House Democrats to swallow a must-pass extension that will add to the deficit.

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) has already promised to vote against any AMT patch that does not pay for itself.