According to a new report by the Congressional Research Service, almost 4 in 10 Americans are affected by taxation of Social Security benefits. There are three tiers of income taxes on Social Security benefits. For married couples, with a total income of $32,000 or less, there is no tax on their benefits. For couples with income between $32,000 and $44,000, half of their benefits are subject to tax. For couples with income exceeding $44,000, 85 percent of their benefits are subject to income tax. For individuals, these levels are set at $25,000, $34,000, and greater than $34,000. The Senate-approved budget resolution includes language that would roll back a tax increase on Social Security benefits that was enacted in 1993, but the provision is not expected to survive a House-Senate conference.

Yesterday afternoon the House passed H.R. 8, a bill to permanently repeal the estate tax by a vote of 272 - 162. Forty-two Democrats supported the bill. This total was similar to the vote in 2003 to repeal the tax, which had 41 Democrats supporting it. 2005 estate tax repeal roll call vote 2003 estate tax repeal roll call vote Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) offered a substitute to this bill that would have immediately increased estate tax exemption levels to $3 million ($6 million for couples). The Pomeroy substitute would have eventually raised estate tax exemption levels to $3.5 million ($7 million for couples) after 2009 . The Pomeroy substitute would cost less than a fourth ($72 billion) of the cost of full repeal ($290 billion) over the next ten years. The vote on this amendment to reform rather than repeal the tax was closer, but failed 194 - 238, with all but 9 Democrats voting to support it. 2005 Pomeroy amendment roll call vote 2003 Pomeroy amendment roll call vote A few details of the votes:

• Democrats Bean (IL), Cramer (AL), and Gordon (TN) voted against the Pomeroy amendment but for H.R. 8.
• Pomeroy had the support of one Republican on his amendment - Michael Castle of DE.
• Jim Leach of IA was the lone Republican to vote against H.R. 8.

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