While congressional Democrats came close to stopping extension ofthe 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for all Americans, Florida Democrat U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said she was glad the measure passed.
I fought for tax cuts so hard-working families will have more money in their paychecks and improved prospects for a better economy. I am pleased businesses will receive vital relief as well, said Castor, who praised many of the bill's provisions, including extending unemployment benefits.
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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis joined U.S. Rep. Connie Mack as the only Republicans from Florida who voted against extending the tax cuts backed by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003.
Bilirakis voted against the measure late last night, arguing that it added to the deficit.
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U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, applauded the passage of the compromise bill that extended the Bush-era tax cuts for all income levels for two years, lowered the estate tax, extended unemployment benefits for 13 months and cut payroll taxes for workers for one year. He also criticized the $1.1 trillion omnibus appropriations bill that was slated to come up for a vote in the Senate on Thursday but was pulled at the last minute.
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After a late night and early morning to vote in favor of extending tax cuts backed by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., weighed in on Friday morning on why he voted for the measure.
This plan is 85 percent tax cuts and 15 percent spending. The new spending will be dealt with in short order by making cuts to other areas, said Rooney, who argued that letting the tax cuts expire would be the largest tax increase in American history. By keeping taxes low, people control their own money, rather than surrendering it to the government.
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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is hoping congressional leaders can rework the $1.1 trillion omnibus appropriations bill that failed Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pulled it after it failed to get enough support.
Clinton said that without the spending bill, national security, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts overseas will be disrupted.
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After stalling in the afternoon, the U.S. House voted just after midnight Friday to extend tax cuts initially backed by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003 for all Americans. The bill, which also extends jobless benefits, now moves to President Barack Obamas desk.
This week saw members of Congress riding on a crazy roller coaster that ended when the House voted to pass the global tax agreement early Friday morning by a vote of 277 to 148, thereby sending the bill to the president for his signature.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives took a while to do it, but they approved the intricately negotiated $858 billion tax deal in the small hours Friday by a vote of 277-148. Republicans and Democrats favoring the bill were split almost down the middle.
The bill now goes to a visibly relieved President Barack Obama to be signed into law.
Before the House vote Obama said, "I hope that members from both parties can come together in a spirit of common purpose to protect American families and our economy as a whole by passing this essential economic package."
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The $1.1 trillion spending bill, weighted down with unpopular earmarks, died on the Senate floor Thursday night, meaning the country is running out of time in the fiscal year to pay its bills. The current spending authorization runs out Saturday.
The bill didn't die a natural death. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yanked it after he discovered Democrats didn't have the support to get it passed. Reid said he will begin immediately to work with Republicans on a compromise popular enough for at least a short-term funding plan.
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Three longtime Florida lawyers have filed to run for president of the Florida Bar, seeking to run the professional and regulating organization for more than 90,000 attorneys throughout the state.
