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US tax cuts: Congress passes compromise deal US tax cuts: Congress passes compromise deal
(about 7 hours later)
The US House of Representatives has passed a compromise tax bill averting a New Year rise in income taxes for millions of Americans.The US House of Representatives has passed a compromise tax bill averting a New Year rise in income taxes for millions of Americans.
The deal forged by the White House and Republicans also extends benefit payments for some of the longer-term unemployed for 13 months.The deal forged by the White House and Republicans also extends benefit payments for some of the longer-term unemployed for 13 months.
The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday but its chances of passing the lower chamber had been seen as less certain. The bill passed over objections from House Democrats about tax breaks for wealthy Americans.
Some Democrats have been angry about tax breaks for wealthy Americans. President Barack Obama said compromise was needed to win Republican support.
However, President Barack Obama had said that a compromise was needed to win Republican support. The $858bn (£542bn) package was passed by 277 votes to 148 in the House of Representatives. Mr Obama is due to sign it into law on Friday.
The $858bn (£542bn) package was passed by 277 votes to 148 in the House of Representatives. "This bill, the president of the United States believes and I believe, will have a positive effect on the economy," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said, according to the Washington Post.
"I will vote for this bill because I don't want to see middle-income working people in America get a tax increase, because I think that will be a depressant on an economy that needs to be lifted up."
'No option''No option'
Under a proposal that the White House crafted with Republicans and announced last week, tax cuts enacted by President George W Bush in 2001 and 2003 and set to expire this year would be extended at all levels - including for the highest earning Americans. Under a proposal the White House crafted with Republicans and announced last week, tax cuts enacted by President George W Bush in 2001 and 2003 and set to expire this year would be extended at all levels - including for the highest-earning Americans.
Some unemployment benefits would also continue, inheritance tax would be lowered, and payroll taxes would be cut for a year in a bid to spur consumer spending. In addition, inheritance taxes affecting only the wealthiest Americans would be lowered and payroll taxes would be cut for a year in a bid to spur consumer spending.
Mr Obama and his Democratic allies had vigorously opposed allowing low tax rates for wealthy Americans to continue at a time of massive budget deficits, but Senate Republicans rejected Mr Obama's preferred approach and the president said he saw no option other than compromise.Mr Obama and his Democratic allies had vigorously opposed allowing low tax rates for wealthy Americans to continue at a time of massive budget deficits, but Senate Republicans rejected Mr Obama's preferred approach and the president said he saw no option other than compromise.
When Mr Obama announced the deal last week he said it was the only way to avoid the damage to American families and the economy that would ensue if taxes were allowed to rise and long-term unemployment benefits were not extended.When Mr Obama announced the deal last week he said it was the only way to avoid the damage to American families and the economy that would ensue if taxes were allowed to rise and long-term unemployment benefits were not extended.
As liberals in Washington have railed against the deal, a growing number of conservatives have also taken up opposition. Congressman Anthony Weiner, a liberal New York Democrat, said on Friday that Republicans had out-negotiated Mr Obama.
They note the bill adds to the US budget deficit, while also objecting that the low tax rates - which have the biggest impact on the deficit - are only temporary. As liberals in Washington have railed against the deal, some conservatives also took up opposition.
They noted the bill adds to the US budget deficit, while also objecting that the low tax rates - which have the biggest impact on the deficit - are only temporary.