Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) said today he wants to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for every income bracket and said he’s not sure what House Democratic leaders are going to decide about holding a vote.
“I don’t think now is the right time to let those tax breaks expire,” Ellsworth told Neil Cavuto on Fox News. “I would vote to extend both all across the board. … [W]e should pass those directly, and we should do it before we go home, before we recess.”
Ellsworth was one of the 31 Democrats to sign a letter asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi to keep the tax cuts for the wealthy. (Our updating list on wavering Democrats and their positions here.) He’s also in a unique position among the Democrats on this issue because he is running in a statewide race for the seat of retiring Sen. Evan Bayh (D). His rival Dan Coats (R) wants them extended permanently for everyone.
The most fascinating tell from this interview is that Ellsworth suggests a vote would let the Democrats avoid talking about tax cuts. As we’ve reported extensively, most Democrats think this is a winning political issue, which is why President Obama has been talking about it non-stop.
“If we get it off the table it’s one less thing we have to talk about going into November,” Ellsworth said.
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Harrison and Evan McMorris-Santoro
