Saturday, December 11, 2010

McCain says he supports tax deal, despite ethanol concerns By Elise Viebeck - The Hill

12/10/10 01:23 PM ET



 
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) took to Twitter on Friday to say he has "serious concerns w/ some provisions" of the tax legislation unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), but that he'll support it anyway.



The bill, introduced Thursday, leaves President Obama's compromise largely unaltered but adds tax credits for alternative energy, energy-efficient homes and other "green" efforts. These provisions aim to soothe liberal Democrats who oppose the deal's extension of tax cuts for the wealthy.




McCain, who in late November co-signed a bipartisan letter to end ethanol subsidies, appears to take issue with their inclusion.






"#1 goal [of the deal] is 2 prevent tax increases — not carving out deals 4 special interests," he tweeted. "I also believe Americans can’t afford tax increases. I support, and plan to vote for, passage of the tax package."

A spokeswoman for McCain confirmed that he was referring to the ethanol tax incentives.


A "test vote" on the bill is scheduled for Monday afternoon.


Read more about the bill here.


Andrew Restuccia contributed.

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