The thinking seems to be that Democrats then will be more willing to buck the party line and Harry Reid's passsionate opposition to estate tax reform.
What Senate Finance Committee Chair Charles Grassley said yesterday to Tax Notes:
"We're hearing from Democrats' staff that . . . the Democrats aren't going to let us have any victories between now and September 30 because they obviously know that it enhances our opportunity for maintaining control of Congress," Grassley said.
That stance could lead to consideration of either the original trifecta bill or a revised version when Congress returns in November for a lame-duck session. That strategy has been pushed by Senate Budget Committee Chair Judd Gregg, R-N.H., who previously said that Democrats would be more willing to vote for the bill -- and against the wishes of Democratic leadership -- after the election season.
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Two problems:
1. Lame Ducks tend to have less clout, not more. Especially if they have lost control of Congress as of Jan. 1.
2. My esteemed Senator, Judd Gregg, sounds like he might favor watering down the bill further to woo Democrats. Still, a Senator who can head the Budget Committee during the administration of George W. Bush must have have the strength of ten.
Maybe the Republicans' new campaign slogan will help this fall:
"We took the 'Tax' out of 'Tax and Spend.'"
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