Senate agrees to advance tax bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate Monday agreed to proceed on an $858 billion bill that would leave in place all Bush-era tax rates and extend jobless benefits.
Because of bad weather across the country, the vote was held open to allow senators to return to the Capitol for the roll-call vote. The voting began at 3 p.m. EST and the motion to invoke cloture -- which would allow the measure agreed to by President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans to be considered -- gained the 60 votes necessary for approval shortly after 4 p.m.
Among other things, the bill would keep in place for two years all tax rates enacted during George W. Bush's administration, extend unemployment insurance for 13 months, temporarily reduce the payroll tax by 2 percent, shield middle-class taxpayers from the alternative minimum tax and extend several tax credits included in the 2009 economic stimulus package.
In a statement issued by the White House, Obama said the vote "proves that both parties can in fact work together to grow our economy and look out for the American people."
"Taken as a whole, the bill that the Senate will allow to proceed does some very good things for America's economy and the American people," he said. "First and foremost, it is a substantial victory for middle-class families across the country who would no longer have to worry about a massive tax hike come Jan. 1."
Obama urged the House to act quickly when the bill comes before it.
During Senate floor debate, several senators said debate on whether to extend any or all of the Bush-era tax rates should be based on something other than a calendar. The rates are due to expire at the end of the year.
"(Action) should be based on the realities of the economy, not a date on the calendar," Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., said.
Some liberal Democrats have criticized Obama and the negotiated package, saying current tax rates should be extended only for individuals earning $200,000 or less and couples earning no more than $250,000. Obama also is against extending the current tax rates for high-end taxpayers because, among other things, he said it will add to the deficit. Obama said, however, he agreed to the all-or-nothing demand by Republicans in the interests of preventing a huge tax bill for middle-class taxpayers and getting jobless benefits to the unemployed.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the ranking member of Senate Finance Committee, said neither Obama nor Republicans "view it as ideal," but the measure must be enacted to prevent a huge tax increase and keep the fragile economic recovery going.
"It's a balancing act," Grassley said on the floor. "The time to dither is over."
Envoy Holbrooke dead at 69
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama praised longtime diplomat Richard Holbrooke, who died Monday at a Washington hospital, as a "true giant of American foreign policy."
Holbrooke, who was 69, died at George Washington University Hospital following two operations -- including one lasting more than 20 hours to repair a torn aorta -- after he became ill Friday during a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Holbrooke, Obama's special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, underwent a second surgical procedure Sunday to improve circulation to his legs, Politico reported online Sunday.
"(First lady) Michelle (Obama) and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Richard Holbrooke, a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected," the president said in a statement issued by the White House. "He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace."
The president said progress the United States has made "in Afghanistan and Pakistan is due in no small measure to Richard's relentless focus on America's national interest, and pursuit of peace and security."
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley had issued a statement Sunday night saying Holbrooke was "surrounded by his family, friends, colleagues and staff" at the hospital.
Crowley said Holbrooke's wife, Kati Marton, received calls from Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.
"His family is grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers coming in from his many friends, colleagues and leaders around the world," Crowley said.
Several officials and deputies visited Holbrooke, including Clinton, National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen, and members of Holbrooke's policy team, including deputies Frank Ruggiero and Dan Feldman, who were with Holbrooke in an ambulance Friday.
Officials from several agencies attended a meeting at the White House during the weekend to discuss the pending Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy review, expected to be released next week, Politico said. How Holbrooke's hospitalization and death will affect the review and release remained unclear.
Steele to run for second term as RNC head
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele told party officials in Washington Monday he will seek a second term.
Steele made his plans known during a conference call with RNC members late Monday, The Hill reported.
Citing prepared remarks, the Capitol Hill publication quoted Steele as saying he merits re-election because the GOP captured the House and gained seats in the Senate.
"We achieved that in part because we adhered to two important principles: consistency and inclusion," Steele said.
Key supporters had said they expected Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor, to drop out of consideration.
Steele had sent committee members an e-mail during the weekend with "Conference call" in the subject line, Politico said.
Despite Republican gains in Congress in the November midterm elections, Steele has been criticized for his gaffe-prone tenure and his inability to raise enough money. The RNC will select a chairman for the 2012 election cycle next month.
Challengers include Wisconsin Republican Chairman Reince Priebus; Ann Wagner of Missouri, former co-leader of the RNC; Maria Cino, a longtime GOP official backed by former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie and former Vice President Dick Cheney; Saul Anuzis, former Michigan Republican chairman; and Gentry Collins, who was RNC political director until last month.
At least 18 dead in Mideast storm
JERUSALEM, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- A storm pummeled the Middle East, leaving at least 18 people dead in Egypt and a cargo ship sunk off the Israeli coast in its wake, officials said.
Egyptian security officials said 11 of those killed Sunday died in traffic accidents and another 58 people were injured in crashes, Ahram Online reported. The state news agency MENA reported at least seven people died and 10 were injured when a six-story factory building where 30 or more people were working collapsed in Alexandria.
Al-Masry al-Youm reported Suez Canal traffic returned to normal Monday after being closed for two days by the weather. An official source at the Suez Canal Authority said 38 vessels held up in Port Said were allowed to proceed.
Fishing boats resumed operations in the Mediterranean Sea as wind speeds declined and wave action eased.
Millions of dollars in damage was reported at Tel Aviv and Caesarea ports in Israel.
On Sunday night, a woman was seriously injured when a tree fell on her car, Ynetnews.com reported.
Israel's Mount Hermon was covered in snow.
Gale force winds Sunday caused a Moldovan cargo ship to sink off the coast of Ashdod and destroyed an ancient pier in Caesarea, Haaretz said.
Flights at Israel's international Ben Gurion Airport were delayed.
Israeli authorities issued flood warnings for the central part of the country and forecasters declared that by noon Monday the storm would die down but rain would continue until Tuesday, Israel Radio said.
In the Gaza Strip, strong winds and lashing rains damaged a pier and a harbor breakfront, Palestinian officials said.
In Lebanon, heavy rains flooded streets in Beirut and snow forced some road closures in remote mountain towns.
Officials said an uprooted tree fell on a car in the northern port of Tripoli Saturday night, killing a woman, The Daily Star reported.
Dozens of fishing boats were ripped apart in the port of Sidon and a police station had to be evacuated, the newspaper said. Lebanese authorities said conditions were expected to improve by Monday evening.
The Jordan Times said severe dust storms that hit the country Sunday caused problems on the roads and in the air, with 29 people injured in accidents and air traffic halted for several hours.
In Damascus, snow fell for the first time in weeks, al-Arabiya said. Authorities were forced to close the main port of Tartous.
