Bill on tax rates not sole lame-duck issue

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Extending Bush-era tax rates isn't the only agenda item for Congress; leaders say they'll bring up bills to keep the U.S. government running and an arms treaty.

Senate Democrats said they plan to roll 12 spending measures that fund the government into one huge, $1.1 trillion bill, which Republicans oppose, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Senate Democratic leaders also said they would bring the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty to a vote, even though key GOP senators said they want to delay the U.S.-Russian nuclear arms agreement until next year.

Republicans said Tuesday they would oppose efforts to package all of the spending bills into one measure, but Senate Democrats said they would forge ahead under that scenario anyway. House Democrats are expected to pass an alternative spending plan that could add billions of dollars to key programs.

"That's complete denial of the message of the last election," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, calling the singular bill a "pork barrel" measure that would increase federal spending.

Senate Republican leaders said they prefer a stopgap measure that would keep funding level, or possibly reduced, through September.

Despite some Republicans, including Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., suggesting delaying the START vote until next year, Democrats said they believe the bipartisan deal on taxes gives them enough time approve the measure during the lame-duck session.

President Obama announced this week a deal had been struck with congressional Republicans on extending all tax rates enacted during George W. Bush's administration, including rates for wealthy taxpayers. The compromise also includes extension of unemployment insurance and several tax breaks included in the 2009 stimulus package, and a 2 percent reduction in the payroll tax.

Senate Democrats scheduled test votes this week on several issues that are expected to fail, including measures that would help children of illegal immigrants and a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, the Post said.