Senators approved a sweeping set of tax measures today that will keep taxes from going up on most American workers in January, delivering a huge political win for President Obama over staunch objection from members of his own party. The House is expected to vote on the measure on Thursday.
The Senate rejected several amendments and by a vote of 81-19 passed the tax deal reached by the White House and Senate Republicans, sending the measure to the House, where Democrats, despite angst, appear poised to quickly pass it.
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But as the House vote approaches, some conservative groups have been pushing Republicans not to back the bill. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a potential 2012 candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, today announced his opposition, saying it was a bad deal for taxpayers and would do little to create jobs. "I cannot support it," Pence said.
But Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., the ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, has sent out his own message, noting several conservatives and conservative groups that are supporting passage. A growing number House Democrats say they are now backing the bill as is, including 26 members of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition.