This April 29, 2014 file photo shows Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. talking to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.WASHINGTON – A bill to renew more than 50 expired tax breaks for businesses and individuals cleared a key hurdle in the Senate Tuesday, giving hope to millions of taxpayers who would otherwise be hit with unwelcome tax increases next spring.
Other hurdles remain, however.
The Senate voted 96-3 to open debate on the bill, which has strong backing from the business community but would add about $85 billion to the budget deficit.
Almost every year, Congress routinely renews the tax breaks. This year they were allowed to expire at the start of the year – meaning taxpayers would get hit when they file their 2014 returns next spring. The Senate bill would extend the tax breaks through 2015.
“Our constituents are depending on us to extend these provisions,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. “We will not pull the plug before our nation’s recovery is complete. By passing this tax extenders package we will build our nation’s economy more quickly.”