Oregon Public Broadcasting

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed President Obama’s Tax Package Compromise  Wednesday.

The bill extends tax cuts for the middle-class as well as the wealthiest Americans.

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden both voted against the measure.  In a speech recorded by C-Span on the Senate floor before the vote, Ron Wyden said while he supported many of the provisions in the bill, it did nothing to put the country’s fiscal house in order.

Ron Wyden: “The agreement in my view is a victory for the politics of procrastination.  At a time when American’s are swimming in debt more water will be put into the pool.” 

All four of Oregon’s Democratic representatives in the House have come out in opposition to the measure.  House leaders expect the bill could come to a vote in that chamber later this week.