Senate Dems vote to increase taxes

'Tax increases on the way,' say the Democrat-controlled Senate who have just passed a tax bill that as Levin emphasizes, "will brutalize small business in this country."

WSJ: U.S. Senate Democrats, responding to President Barack Obama's populist message, Wednesday voted to allow the Bush tax cuts to lapse for household income above $250,000, saying the rich should pay more to help control the deficit.

The vote established a partisan tone likely to dominate Congress through the November elections and beyond. Democrats and Republicans are fighting intensely because the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire in a little more than five months and both sides have constituencies that would be affected.

By 51-48, the Senate passed a Democratic plan to extend the Bush tax cuts for couples making less than $250,000. Vice President Joe Biden arrived on the Senate floor shortly before the vote, preparing to cast a vote for the legislation in the event of a tie.

Not one Republican voted for the one-year, $250 billion measure. Sens. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.), Jon Tester (D., Mont.) and Bill Nelson (D., Fla.) voted with their party, in spite of pressure to break with Mr. Obama ahead of competitive re-election races.

Well, besides those three needing to be fired and replaced, now they're all on record, and now it's up to the Republican-controlled House to stop this madness. Listening, Speaker?