Topic: U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means

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Economist Mom
How to make the Bush tax cuts work

The expiring Bush tax cuts would be worth more than $2.8 trillion over 10 years Instead of complaining about the size of the cuts and not doing anything constructive about it, policymakers ought to commit to using that size in a positive way.
Tax VOX
Obama and GOP: What's holding up corporate tax reform?

Obama and GOP leaders are in agreement on many corporate tax reform policies. But on the question of how foreign earnings of U.S.-based multinationals should be taxed, the gap remains wide. 
Rick Santorum in Congress: why his record is costing him now

Some see Rick Santorum as an uncompromising firebrand of a culture warrior, but his rivals are focusing their attacks on his legislative record in Congress, which bridged party lines.
Robert Reich
Corporations don't need tax cuts. Why is Obama proposing them?

The Obama administration is proposing to lower corporate taxes from the current 35 percent to 28 percent for most companies and to 25 percent for manufacturers.  But American companies are booking higher profits than ever.
Tax VOX
Obama's business tax reform: A good start

The president's Framework for Business Reform does a great job in identifying what's wrong with the way businesses are taxed. But the cure for those problems leaves a lot to be desired.
Payroll tax deal: Congress moves toward agreement

Payroll tax cut, long-term unemployment benefits would be preserved under a bipartisan deal. But negotiators won't predict whether Congress will pass the payroll tax deal by Friday.
Keystone XL oil pipeline ensnared in political gamesmanship

Republicans tried to force Obama's hand on the permit to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline, and now he's forced theirs. The fight may not be over, signaling that energy will be a 2012 campaign issue.
Barney Frank exit may signal the end of glory days for Mass. Democrats

Barney Frank will not seek re-election in 2012, but will there be enough Democratic fire power left in Massachusetts after he's gone?
Bush tax cuts debate helped to doom super committee effort

Bush tax cuts: A tussle between Republicans and Democrats over the future of the Bush tax cuts played a large role in scuttling the congressional super committee's attempt to reach an agreement on reducing the budget deficit.
Tax VOX
Five lessons from the 1986 Tax Reform Act

Oct. 22 is the 25th anniversary of the landmark Tax Reform Act of 1986. Here are five important lessons to consider as tax reform creeps back onto the policy agenda.
Economist Mom
Deja vu on tax policy

"Dynamic scoring," or adjusting revenue estimates based on the expected effects of tax policies on the size of the economy, won't fix the deficit problem
Bankruptcy for Solyndra. Is it China's fault?

Bankruptcy of the third US solar company in recent weeks has some Democrats accusing subsidized competition from China. Could revamped trade policy protect 'green' firms from bankruptcy?
On the Economy
Welfare to work doesn't work – without work

Welfare to work reformis 15 years old. It doesn't work well in a poor economy.
Mileage rate: IRS raises it 4.5 cents

Mileage rate gets raised in light of higher gas prices. The new mileage rate is 55.5 cents per mile driven for business purposes.
Social Security payments: $6.5 billion in overpayments

Social Security payments were made to seniors in 2009, federal investigator says. One in 10 Social Security payments to very poor were improper.
If Rep. Weiner stays in Congress, will he become irrelevant?

Former members of Congress paint a grim picture of what could await Rep. Weiner if he doesn't resign, including shunning and loss of influence. Democrats are already edging away.
Sex scandals in Congress: What Rep. Weiner's 'sexting' adds to the literature

How Congress has dealt with sex scandals has changed over time. The big issues for Rep. Weiner include whether there was an abuse of office or any use of official resources.
Tax VOX
Is corporate tax reform realistic?

International tax experts say that the US lags behind other nations in terms of corporate tax reform. Is there any hope of changing the system?
Medicare vouchers plan shelved for now

Medicare reform passed the House. But GOP leaders say they won't push Medicare vouchers in the current round of spending talks.
Talks begin on deficit reduction. What can be cut in the federal budget?

Vice President Joe Biden hosted a meeting with lawmakers from both parties Thursday on curbing deficits. Although some options are controversial, there's still room for agreement on other parts of the federal budget.
Tax VOX
Who benefits from tax breaks? Every last one of us.

Tax credits, deductions, and exclusions raise after-tax income for nearly everyone
Government shutdown 101: How will it affect unemployment insurance?

Unemployment insurance is distributed by states but funded by both states and the federal government. It has enough money to survive a short shutdown without interrupting benefits, say members of Congress.
Tax VOX
House budget plan leaves some big questions

The budget proposal from the House Budget Committee is a mix of general targets and very specific policy proposals
Tax VOX
The deficit, euphemisms, and hard choices

To reduce the deficit, politicians need to start being more frank in their discussions
Tax deductions for abortion: GOP chips away

Tax deductions for an abortion and related tax breaks would be prevented under a House panel's bill. But Democrats in the Senate support the tax deductions.