Steny Hoyer says he is unwilling to support an extension of Bush tax policies, full stop.
The House Majority Leader is clearing the air, after he told reporters earlier today that he’s “prepared to discuss alternatives so that we can move forward” on resolving the Bush tax cut debate.
“I [am] willing to talk to others about their positions,” Hoyer says in a statement. “Unfortunately, the reports of my answer implied a willingness to support an extension of Bush policies. That is incorrect. Neither the adverse effect on the deficit, nor the lack of positive economic benefit, justifies such actions. As a result, I said: ‘that, [the willingness to talk] does not mean that you take actions which you don’t believe are appropriate.'”
House Democrats still don’t know what their tax cut package will look like, or how to most effectively to drive a wedge into the Republican party while keeping their own vulnerable, and conservative members happy. But they’re getting there.
