Anger Over Obama Tax Deal Could Result in Senate Filibuster

Some clues on how President Obama's tax cut deal with congressional Republicans could fare will likely emerge later today when Vice President Biden tries to convince unhappy Democrats in Congress.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who votes with Democrats, told MSNBC last night that he'll filibuster the deal.

"It is an absolute disaster and an insult to the vast majority of the American people to be talking about giving huge tax breaks to the wealthiest people in this country, driving up our deficit, and increasing the growing gap between the very rich and everybody else," Sanders said.

For his part, Obama has said the deal is "not perfect" but he said it "is an essential step on the road to recovery."

Liberal Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., is quoted in AOL's Daily Politics that he will also try to do whatever he can to stop the compromise, which temporarily extends the Bush-era tax cuts at all income levels while providing an extension of jobless benefits sought by Obama.

Conyers called the deal "legislative blackmail."

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, told USA TODAY's John Fritze last night that the deal "is bad economic policy."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is among many Republicans who would rather extend all the Bush-era tax cuts permanently. He's calling on Democrats to "put away their partisanship."

Source: USA TODAY

Kevin Eason is a freelance editorial cartoonist and Illustrator from New Jersey. His brand of satire covers news events in politics, entertainment, sports and much more. Follow him on Facebook.