House Passes Payroll Tax Bill But Includes Keystone Pipeline

[Bluesgal]

They passed it and it's on to the Senate. However, they attached langauge that approves the Keystone Pipeline project using the argument that it will create jobs.

I'm kinda miffed at them playing the game of tying the two issues together.

I'm still trying to understand how that pipeline is benficial to US citizens. Yeah I had to qualify it didn't I.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/45661648

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives defied a White House veto threat on Tuesday and passed a bill to expedite approval of the Keystone XL Canada-to-Texas pipeline project.
The provision was part of a broader bill that would also extend a payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans. Democrats oppose Republicans' efforts to link the two issues.
The House measure now goes to the Senate, where President Barack Obama's Democrats are expected to reject it later this week, setting the stage for anticipated compromise.
The mostly party-line vote of 234-193 in favor of the House bill came after a spirited debate.

[pancho]

Seems like both sides are using the same tactics.

[ghmerrill]

One of the things that fry my fritters about politics is the fact that they do this stuff. A bill should have one thing, not random items. Too much stuff is passed as tags on bills that sound innocuous.

[AngieM2]

Originally Posted by ghmerrill

One of the things that fry my fritters about politics is the fact that they do this stuff. A bill should have one thing, not random items. Too much stuff is passed as tags on bills that sound innocuous.

Totally agree with this statement.

[fishinshawn]

another example of the two party system failing americans.

[mnn2501]

We have the best Congress money can buy!

[emdeengee]

To me this kind of behaviour - attaching one thing to another to sneak/force it in - is so dishonourable it is beyond disappointment. It is extortion and the people paying are the everyday citizens.

[MO_cows]

Political gamesmanship at its "finest". The repubs can now say with a straight face that they tried to pass an extension to the payroll tax cuts. When in fact they know this bill is DOA and that by attaching the two totally unrelated matters they are merely playing games and wasting taxpayer money. How stupid do they think we are?? We are drowning in debt and have all kinds of problems to try and solve, but our so-called representatives would rather play games to try and one-up each other. Really chaps my hide, can you tell????

[pancho]

Originally Posted by MO_cows

Political gamesmanship at its "finest". The repubs can now say with a straight face that they tried to pass an extension to the payroll tax cuts. When in fact they know this bill is DOA and that by attaching the two totally unrelated matters they are merely playing games and wasting taxpayer money. How stupid do they think we are?? We are drowning in debt and have all kinds of problems to try and solve, but our so-called representatives would rather play games to try and one-up each other. Really chaps my hide, can you tell????

Do you see much difference in the democrats adding tax increases to their bill?

[SquashNut]

as much as I hate to say it this is how they get things done. If they didn't bundle, or comprimise one side would just run over the other.

[MO_cows]

Originally Posted by pancho

Do you see much difference in the democrats adding tax increases to their bill?

No, both of the parties play that game. A big part of the reason this country is in a mess, because they would rather one-up each other and play these games than make the hard compromises and tough choices that it takes to get things done.

[pancho]

Originally Posted by MO_cows

No, both of the parties play that game. A big part of the reason this country is in a mess, because they would rather one-up each other and play these games than make the hard compromises and tough choices that it takes to get things done.

Glad to see some people are learning. If we can just get a few more thinking the same way.