House Dems say no to Extending Bush Tax Cuts

The House Democratic Caucus rejected the tax deal cut between the White House and Republicans yesterday. Now the pressure is on for House Dems have to win changes after they rejected the package presented by the White House in a take it or leave it fashion.

According to Madame Speaker Pelosi, "Democratic priorities remain clear: to provide a tax cut for working families, to create jobs and economic growth, to assist millions of our fellow Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and to do this in a fiscally sound way."

Press secretary Gibbs is unphased claiming that in the end the bill will pass in both the House and the Senate. Gibbs goes on to ask the Dems to come up with a better compromise. House Republicans naturally love the package.

The Whip count:

LAST UPDATED ON DEC. 11 AT 9:46 a.m.

Firm No — Republicans (1)
Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) — Flake told The Daily Caller that he has major concerns about the size of the package.

Firm No — Democrats (62)
Earl Blumenauer (Ore.)
Judy Chu (Calif.)
Yvette Clarke (N.Y.)
James Clyburn (S.C.) — The Majority whip is a firm no.
Steve Cohen (Tenn.)
John Conyers (Mich.) — Judiciary Committee chairman has been outspoken against the deal.
Elijah Cummings (Md.)
Danny Davis (Ill.)
Peter DeFazio (Ore.) — DeFazio is not shy in bucking White House; he opposed the stimulus.
Bill Delahunt (Mass.) — Retiring from Congress.
Donna Edwards (Md.)
Keith Ellison (Minn.)
Anna Eshoo (Calif.) — Close friend of the Speaker.
Sam Farr (Calif.)
Bob Filner (Calif.) — One of several chairmen who will vote no.
Barney Frank (Mass.) — The Massachusetts lawmaker said on MSNBC Dec. 8 he “won’t vote for it,” but believes the deal will pass.
John Garamendi (Calif.)
Alan Grayson (Fla.)
Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.) — Progressive leader in the House.
Luis Gutierrez (Ill.) — This Illinois lawmaker has criticized Obama throughout 111th Congress.
Alcee Hastings (Fla.)
Martin Heinrich (N.M.)
Maurice Hinchey (N.Y.)
Rush Holt (N.J.)
Jay Inslee (Wash.)
Jessie Jackson Jr. (Ill.)
Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas)
Paul Kanjorski (Pa.)
Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) — A darling of the left, Kucinich voted yes on healthcare, but will vote no on taxes.
Barbara Lee (Calif.) — CBC chairwoman a firm no.
John Lewis (Ga.)
Ben Luján (N.M.)
Stephen Lynch (Mass.) — Voted no on healthcare despite intense lobbying from White House.
Doris Matsui (Calif.)
Betty McCollum (Minn.)
Jim McDermott (Wash.)
Jim McGovern (Mass.)
Michael Michaud (Maine) — Has been outspoken against Obama’s efforts on trade.
Jim Moran (Va.)
Jim Oberstar (Minn.) — Another chairman who will vote no.
John Olver (Mass.)
Chellie Pingree (Maine)
Earl Pomeroy (N.D.) — One of the most conservative Dems on this list.
David Price (N.C.)
Tim Ryan (Ohio)
Linda Sanchez (Calif.)
Jan Schakowsky (Ill.)
Kurt Schrader (Ore.)
Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.)
Brad Sherman (Calif.) -- Has floated ideas to leadership on how to change the deal.
Adam Smith (Wash.)
Jackie Speier (Calif.)
Pete Stark (Calif.) — One of many California Dems who will vote no.
Betty Sutton (Ohio)
Bennie Thompson (Miss.) — Thompson chairs the Homeland Security Committee.
Mike Thompson (Calif.)
Paul Tonko (N.Y.)
Anthony Weiner (N.Y.)
Peter Welch (Vt.) — Spearheaded the letter to rally House Dems to vote no.
Lynn Woolsey (Calif.) — Progressive leader in the House.
David Wu (Ore.)
John Yarmuth (Ky.)

Leaning No (6)
G.K. Butterfield (N.C.)
John Larson (Conn.) — Called the proposal “troubling.”
Chris Murphy (Conn.) — Doesn’t favor tax breaks for the wealthy.
Richard Neal (Mass.)
Bill Pascrell (N.J.) — Said this week he's leaning no.
Chris Van Hollen (Md.) Dem leader said on MSNBC that the estate tax provision “makes it very, very difficult for me to support [the deal] in its current form.”

Firm Yes (7)
Shelley Berkley (Nev.)
Dan Boren (Okla.)— One of the most conservative Democrats in the House.
Jim Himes (Conn) — Represents affluent Fairfield County, is a firm yes.
Patrick Kennedy (R.I.)
Gary Peters (Mich.) — White House noted his backing in a press release.
Mike Ross (Ark.) — Frequently disagrees with party leadership. Says he plans to vote for it.
Mark Schauer (Mich.) — White House touted his endorsement of the plan.
Joe Sestak (Pa.) -- Will do so reluctantly.

Leaning Yes (1)
Bill Owens (N.Y.)

In the end what this all comes down to is who the White House wants to work with. I don't have a clue as to the strategy behind this one. This maybe the one time liberal policy has the majority of public opinion support, but we're going with the other guy on this one. Crazy. The support (and I use that work lightly) gained form this package won't come vote for you later, but your base is growing more and more disillusioned by the day. I don't see what is being accomplished here.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/132885-house-dems-vote-to-reject-tax-cut-deal-

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/132937-whip-count-house-democrats-positions-on-obamas-tax-compromise