U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman, right, and Tom Udall. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman announced Monday that he opposes President Barack Obama’s tax compromise with Republicans, while Sen. Tom Udall says he hasn’t decided whether to support the legislation.
Bingaman’s announcement came as he voted with 14 others against a procedural move that advanced the legislation to a final Senate vote. Udall voted with the vast majority of senators in favor of the procedural move, but said that shouldn’t be interpreted as support for the legislation.
Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat, said the bill “does have some useful provisions to stimulate the economy, and I do strongly support extending tax cuts to New Mexicans who need it most.”
“But this bill goes further than that,” he said. “It extends tax cuts to the highest earners and adds a substantial estate tax cut that will make it very difficult for the next Congress to act in a responsible way to (address) our serious deficit situation.”
Spokeswoman Jude McCartin confirmed that Bingaman will vote against the bill when it comes up for final passage, which could happen today. With 83 senators voting Monday in favor of moving it to the final vote, the legislation is expected to easily pass.
Udall, meanwhile, said his Monday vote in favor of the procedural move was simply about getting on with things.
“While I still have serious concerns with the package, there has been adequate time to study it, and now we must do our jobs and vote,” Udall said. “I have continually fought against obstruction and needless delay in the Senate and refuse to contribute to our dysfunction by voting to delay further this bill’s consideration.”
I’ve written before about efforts by Udall, also a New Mexico Democrat, to reform the way the Senate does business.
Spokeswoman Marissa Padilla said Udall’s office is still receiving feedback from constituents. And while she said the senator hasn’t decided how to vote, she had little positive to say about the legislation.
“Sen. Udall continues to believe that to hold unemployment benefits and middle class tax cuts as ransom for a giveaway on the estate tax and extra taxpayer-funded bonuses for multimillionaires and billionaires is wrong, and he still has serious concerns with the legislation,” she said.
House Dems meet this evening
The legislation includes high-profile Republican provisions – an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and changes to the estate tax – that have angered many on the left. Earlier this week, two of three House members from New Mexico joined Bingaman and Udall in expressing concern about those provisions.
The bill includes some Democrat-sought provisions as well, such as a payroll holiday tax, a child tax credit, and an extension of unemployment benefits.
House Democrats voted in caucus to reject the bill earlier this week – a move that means its future isn’t certain. They are scheduled to meet behind closed doors again this evening.
Some say changes to the estate tax provisions in the bill could win House approval. Leaders are trying to finish up Congress’ business for the year by Friday.
Eyes on 2012
Bingaman’s seat is up for grabs in 2012, and New Mexico’s senior senator hasn’t announced whether he will seek another term. Republicans have their eyes on his seat after GOP gains in New Mexico in this year’s election.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee was quick to hit Bingaman over his Monday vote against moving the legislation forward. A news release states that Bingaman stood “with avowed socialist U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders… and to the left of president Barack Obama.”
“Jeff Bingaman proved once again today that he is completely out of touch with New Mexico families and job creators who cannot afford this massive tax hike,” NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh said. “Instead of listening to the clear message that voters in his state sent this November, Senator Bingaman put his own extreme ideology before the best interests of his constituents.”
McCartin has said Bingaman will probably announce in March whether he’s going to seek another term. But she pointed out that he held a campaign fundraiser in October and raised about $400,000.