Marriage Tax Cut Plan Still Stalled

The Senate failed to break an impasse over a $248-billion Republican-backed tax cut for married couples that Democrats say is too costly and is skewed in favor of the wealthy. For the second time in a month, Republicans failed to muster the 60 votes needed to limit debate and order a vote on the tax cut bill. Republicans accused Democrats of opposing tax cuts while Democrats complained about the size of the package, arguing it would hurt other budget priorities, such as providing a prescription drug benefit for the elderly. “They [Democrats] don’t really want marriage penalty tax relief. That is the unspoken truth,” Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) told reporters. Democrats say they are for marriage penalty tax relief but do not support the Republican bill.