House Dems Reject Obama's Tax Package

Yowza:

Defying President Obama, House Democrats voted Thursday not to bring up the tax package that he negotiated with Republicans in its current form.

"This message today is very simple: That in the form that it was negotiated, it is not acceptable to the House Democratic caucus. It's as simple as that," said Democratic Congressman Chris Van Hollen.

"We will continue to try and work with the White House and our Republican colleagues to try and make sure we do something right for the economy and right for jobs, and a balanced package as we go forward," he said.

...Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon said: "They said take it or leave it. We left it."

Dayum!

The caucus resolution is non-binding, but it's unlikely that Speaker Pelosi will ignore the wishes of her caucus. In fact, The Hill is reporting that Pelosi is promising to secure changes to the bill to make it palatable to her caucus.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) issued a brief statement after the vote indicating that lower-chamber Democrats will fight to alter the bill.

"We will continue discussions with the President and our Democratic and Republican colleagues in the days ahead to improve the proposal before it comes to the House floor for a vote," Pelosi said.

"Democratic priorities remain clear: to provide a tax cut for working families, to create jobs and economic growth, to assist millions of our fellow Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and to do this in a fiscally sound way."

Signs of life in Blueville.