As Expected, “Buffett Rule” Defeated
The “Buffett Rule” was defeated along party lines in the Senate yesterday, 51-45. Some here had asked why Obama hadn’t tried to get the 60 votes necessary to overturn the Republican filibuster. First, because it wasn’t possible as only Senator Collins (R – Maine) and Senator Pryor (D – Arkansas) did not vote along party lines. Also 4 senators didn’t vote and they were Lieberman (I – Connecticut), Hatch (R – Utah), Akaka (D – Hawaii) and Kirk (R – Illinois). At the end of the post, I’ll list all the senators who voted against this legislation and those who think it could have been overturned, please tell us which Senator could have been swayed and how.
The second reason why the Obama camp did not take a run at the filibuster is that this is an election year issue. Romney is going to have to defend paying a lower tax rate that both you and me.
Tonight, Senate Republicans voted to block the Buffett Rule, choosing once again to protect tax breaks for the wealthiest few Americans at the expense of the middle class.
The Buffett Rule is common sense. At a time when we have significant deficits to close and serious investments to make to strengthen our economy, we simply cannot afford to keep spending money on tax cuts that the wealthiest Americans don’t need and didn’t ask for. But it’s also about basic fairness—it’s just plain wrong that millions of middle-class Americans pay a higher share of their income in taxes than some millionaires and billionaires. America prospers when we’re all in it together and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
One of the fundamental challenges of our time is building an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules. And I will continue to push Congress to take steps to not only restore economic security for the middle class and those trying to reach the middle class, but also to create an economy that’s built to last.
And as promised, here’s the list of all the senators voting No. Remember, you need nine.
Alexander (R-TN)
Ayotte (R-NH)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Brown (R-MA)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coats (R-IN)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Heller (R-NV)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lee (R-UT)
Lugar (R-IN)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Pryor (D-AR)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Snowe (R-ME)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS
in other news, Dog licks own butt.
I remember in 2007 when Obama opposed the gas tax holiday because it was just a small thing that might have provided a little extra help but didn’t address the real problems. I really liked that “political games are lame” approach. While i support the “dont take all the king crab legs” rule, There has to be a more effective less Us VS Them type of legislation. All this does (and my “this” i mean the big deal that will be made over it, not the law itself) is serve to support the narrative that we are all against each other. Im sick of that narrative. I dont care anymore who get’s who’s way…. this is not working.
(but it’s all THEIR fault you wimp!)
Can anybody name a vote that Democrats lost during the Obama administration that they didn’t want to lose?
Yes, but Obama can ride this issue until the election and hang it around the necks of all Republicans.
The concept of “lack of fairness” fueled both the energy of the Tea Party and the Occupy movement. It’s great to have that one squarely on your side.
Couldn’t we also hang it around their necks if we won?
IF the american people can be conned into opposing universal health care…. they like it item by item, but the name sounds communisty… they can be conning into opposing anything. This election will not be about who has the better ideas. we know who has the better idea, we know who would be better for the nation. This election will be about who has the more exciting commercials. Team Obama should be getting their high paid campaign ad directors lined up. NOT sayin that’s a good thing. I just have that little faith in the electorate.