The Senate is getting serious about approving an AMT patch, the tax extenders package, energy-related tax cuts, and a package of tax cuts intended to provide relief for the Midwest flood victims. Although the $17 billion energy section of the bill is fully offset, the AMT/extenders section is only partially offset. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed for cloture for the bill, setting up a vote on the measure as early as Thursday. The $124 billion bill breaks down like this: Tax Package to be Considered by Senate, Week of Sept. 15, 2008 Provision Cost Offset Amendment 1 Energy tax provisions 17.0 17.0 Amendment 2 AMT relief 64.2 0 Tax extenders and disaster relief 67.5 25.2    Tax extenders 59.3       Disaster relief 8.2    Net Cost of Package 123.5 On the other side of the capital, the House approved (236-189) on Tuesday a fully-offset $18 billion energy package. The bill (HR 6899)includes tax cuts to provide incentives to produce alternative energy sources and would lift a moratorium on offshore drilling. Joint Committee on Taxation Scores:

• House energy bill, HR 6899
• Senate energy tax provisions
• Senate AMT/tax extenders provisions