WASHINGTON BUREAU — House Democrats today passed a non-binding resolution rejecting a tax-cut package negotiated by Obama administration officials and congressional Republicans.
The House Democrats were especially critical of a provision in the agreement that would provide a $5 million per-person estate tax exemption.
The resolution passed by a voice vote, according to House Ways and Means Committee staffers.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, said the resolution was adopted by a "very loud voice vote" and that he believes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, will respect the views of the caucus.
The package, "in the form that it was negotiated, it is not acceptable to the House Democratic caucus," Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said. "It's as simple as that."
The House Democrats' action came as Senate Democrats weighed options for having the package come up for a vote there on Monday.
Senate Democrats must resort to a parliamentary maneuver because tax measures are supposed to originate in the House.
The House Democratic Caucus is "very upset" about the package negotiated by the White House, and there is a push to not vote on the package, regardless of what the Senate does, Ways and Means staffers said.
The estate tax provision in the package would provide a $5 million exemption and a