Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Tax Bill

The Senate passed President Obama’s tax package 81-19, with 13 Democrats, 5 Republicans and independent Bernie Sanders voting no.

Three Democrats – Tom Harkin of Iowa, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Tom Udall of New Mexico – switched their “yes” votes Monday to “no” votes. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also flipped his vote, from no to yes, saying he changed his mind after talking with his minister and reading letters from constituents struggling in the economic downturn.

Two senators who were not present for the Monday vote – Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Ron Wyden of Oregon – opposed the bill. Wyden said the bill piled up too much debt, and that Congress needed to first fix the country’s tax code.

Expect a House vote Thursday.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.