December 08, 2007	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 27, 1428

WASHINGTON: Cracks are emerging in congressional Democrats’ solidarity, as frustrated lawmakers concede their majority status is not enough to overcome Republican resistance on taxes, spending, Iraq and a host of other issues.

The fissures, which became obvious this week, are undermining Democrats’ hopes for several key achievements this year.

On the Iraq war, congressional Democrats on Thursday sent their strongest signal yet that they are resigned to providing additional funds without forcing President George Bush to alter his policies. The plan is virtually certain to divide House Democrats, and may require significant Republican support to pass.

Democrats also point to a bruising 2008 election in which they will accuse Republicans of blocking prudent tax and spending plans to score political points on immigration and other hot-button issues.

Republicans say they simply want to prevent higher taxes of any kind, even if the targets are not-so-sympathetic groups such as oil companies and hedge fund managers.

After 11 months of insisting that all major programmes be paid for with tax increases or spending cuts elsewhere, Senate Democratic leaders acknowledged on Thursday they cannot persuade enough Republicans to join them. Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid reluctantly allowed a vote on a long-debated middle-class tax cut that would add billions of dollars to the deficit because it is not offset elsewhere.

The measure, which the Senate approved 88-5, would prevent the alternative minimum tax from hitting about 25 million more taxpayers, at a cost of about $50 billion to the US treasury next year. Reid’s decision puts the Senate at odds with the House with two weeks left before the holiday recess.

Reid said on Thursday that Senate Republicans have used their filibuster powers to block Democratic efforts to change Iraq policy, move a farm bill and pay for the proposed one-year “fix” to the alternative minimum tax. He especially complained about Republican demands to offer farm bill amendments dealing with state drivers licenses for illegal immigrants.

Congressional Democrats also said they face an uphill battle in trying to overcome Senate Republicans’ objections to an energy bill that passed in the House. Republicans particularly oppose the proposed rollback of $13.5 billion in tax breaks for major oil companies.

If the Senate cannot overcome the Republican-led resistance, Democratic senators said they may have to jettison provisions important to many House Democrats: the tax provisions and requirements for greater use of renewable energy such as wind, solar and biofuels.

Democrats, who sometimes seem incredulous at their inability to budge the Republicans on tax, spending and war issues, say Republicans will pay dearly at the polls. “There is a sense they are digging their own grave,” said Democratic Senator Charles Schumer.

Some Republicans agree there is a risk in repeatedly blocking Democratic-crafted bills, especially if the chief beneficiaries appear to be big oil companies or wealthy investors.

“The strategy is to lay low and then blame them for not getting anything done,” Republican Ray LaHood said. “The truth is, we all lose.”

“We trash each other and end up making the institution look bad,” LaHood said. “That’s why Congress’ approval ratings are so low.”—AP