Senate Republicans fight for extended tax cuts by Zuzana Zelenakova

US Senate Republicans threatened to block all legislation in their attempt to achieve extension of tax cuts. "While there are other items that might ultimately be worthy of the Senate's attention, we cannot agree to prioritize any matters above the critical issues of funding the government and preventing a job-killing tax hike," reads the official letter 42 Republican senators wrote to Majority Leader Harry Reid. The number is enough to put basically any action Majority Leader would want to pass to a halt. GOP fights to extend tax cuts that are to expire in January including those for the wealthy. Even though President Obama was willing to negotiate with GOP and achieve an! agreement, saying all tax breaks could be extended for a year or two, Republicans would not compromise. “It should be permanent,” said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. “We’ve got to get this economy to pick up, and if you raise taxes, you’re going to stifle the economy significantly. I’m sure that somebody’s explained that to the president.” However, the threat GOP members issued Wednesday will not apply to recent arms control treaty with Russia as was declared a top priority by President Obama and set aside from routine legislation. What is thhreatened though is Democrats´ effort to change the situation of openly gay members of the military, but also other important items such as those concerning young illegal immigrants. "Republicans have pleaded with Democrats to put aside their wish-list to focus on the things Americans want us to focus on. They've ignored us. The voters repudiated their agenda at the polls. They've ignored t! hem. Time is running out. They're ignoring that," Senate Repub! lican Le ader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in remarks on the Senate floor. "The election was a month ago. It's time to get serious. It's time to focus on priorities."

related story (sgx18703): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_democrats_lame_duck_politics;_...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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