Despite President Barack Obama’s call for bipartisan agreement, no one in the all-Democratic Massachusetts House delegation has agreed to support the tax plan Obama forged with Republicans.
Some, like Rep. Barney Frank, say they will vote against the measure.
“No, I won’t vote for it. I don’t think that I should be coerced,” Frank told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell earlier today.
Still, he believes the plan will pass.
“You have overwhelming Republican support and enough Democrats to do it,” he told The Boston Globe.
The tax plan, presented on Monday, would extend multiple existing tax cuts while lowering the payroll tax and extending jobless benefits for 13 months. Though by and large Republicans have come out in support of the plan, many Democrats take issue with the plan’s large tax breaks, including a more generous estate tax than years past.
Because of this, many Massachusetts Democrats said they agreed with Frank.
“I don’t believe that caving in to the Republican position is in the best interest of the American people right now,” said Rep. Stephen Lynch.
Rep. Michael Capuano, who represents the district that covers Boston University, said he hasn’t yet decided how he will vote on the measure.
However, he told The Globe that he doesn’t like the package, and that he is disappointed in Obama’s negotiating skills.
“I do know one thing: you never get anything unless you fight,” Capuano said. “And my analogy has been, I’m not going to bring President Obama with me to buy my next car. I’ll end up paying more, and it won’t have a radio in it.”
“Losing is one thing,” he added. “Losing without a fight is not a smart move.”
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