Vote Predictor

The first major legislative fight Congress will likely take up is the renewal of the Bush tax cuts, which will expire soon without Congressional action. President Obama favors renewal of the tax cut for those making under $250,000 per year, as do most Democratic Congressmen. The major debate will likely be over extending the estate tax cut and the income tax cut for those making over $250,000 per year. Below is a map of the senate, which I will move through and highlight which way each vote will likely go. I will do the same for the House, though I will not go into depth with individual members.

                  Extension of Middle Class Tax Cuts   46 Aye 44 Nay 10 Swing

Right now, though public opinion favors President Obama's plan to extend the middle class tax cuts only, a bipartisan minority appears to have the ability to block it. Though several Republicans are likely to cross the aisle, they will likely face electoral pressure as moderates such as Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Scott Brown (R-MA) are up for reelection soon and do not want to show their moderate stripes. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is listed as a maybe both because it is not known whether she will be seated before and vote and because we do not know what effect her write in bid has had on her voting patterns.