By CHARLES BABINGTON
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House Democratic Caucus has voted to reject President Barack Obama’s tax deal with Republicans in its current form.
By voice vote, the rank and file Democrats passed a resolution Thursday that said the tax package should not come to the floor of the House for consideration. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., introduced the resolution.
Said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas: “If it’s take it or leave it, we’ll leave it.”
Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., said “it’s a pretty clear message. We don’t like the bill.”
Michael Steel, spokesman for Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, noted that Obama has said failing to stop all of the tax hikes scheduled for Jan. 1 would have serious consequences for the economy. He said, “House Republicans agree.”