Today, the House will pass the Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act (H.R. 8) to stop the president’s small business tax hike.  As NBC News reports, “unlike Republicans, Democrats aren’t unified on this issue.”  In fact, Democrats are increasingly defecting from President Obama’s plan to impose the largest tax increase in American history and put more than 700,000 jobs at risk.  It is a virtual replay of two years ago, when widespread disagreement amongst Democrats helped pave the way for a bipartisan agreement to stop all the tax hikes, as Republicans had called for.  See a pattern emerging? Here’s a closer look: NOW: DEMOCRATS IN DISARRAY, 2012 EDITION: “[S]ome Democrats are indicating they will back a Republican plan to extend all rates for another year.” ( The Hill , 7/28/12) “Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) said Thursday he’s opposed to President Barack Obama’s plan …joining Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) as two members of the 53-member Senate Democratic Caucus who plan to vote against the plan.” ( Politico , 7/12/12) “The president’s pitch may face opposition not only from Republicans, but also some congressional Democrats .” ( Associated Press , 7/9/12) “Aside from the Republican reaction, Obama’s move holds political pitfalls among his fellow Democrats , who are divided about how to address the issue .” ( Reuters , 7/9/12) “By drawing the line for tax increases at $250,000 for married couples and $200,000 for individuals, Obama sets up potential contrasts with two factions of senators in his party .” ( Bloomberg , 7/9/12) “[T]his type of talk also serves as reminder about the deep divisions within the Democratic Party .” ( National Journal , 7/9/12) THEN: DEMOCRATS IN DISARRAY, 2010 EDITION: “A fiscally conservative Democrat who chairs the U.S. Senate’s budget committee on Wednesday said he supports extending all of the tax cuts that expire this year …” ( Reuters , 7/21/10) “Two more Senate Democrats called for extending tax cuts for all earners…in what appears to be a breakdown of the party’s consensus on the how to handle the expiration,” of the current tax rates.  ( Wall Street Journal , 7/22/10) “But increasingly it’s the Democrats who seem to be divided on the way forward.” ( The Weekly Standard , 8/4/10) “Worried about the fragile economy and their own upcoming elections, a growing number of Democrats are joining the rock-solid Republican opposition to President Barack Obama’s plans to” raise taxes. ( CNN , 9/2/10) “[A] number of high-profile Democrats, including Senators Jim Webb and Evan Bayh, are breaking with the president and voicing their support for extending the” current tax rates. ( The Atlantic Wire , 9/10/10) “[M]ore Democrats on Monday came out against Obama’s plan .”  ( The Hill , 9/13/10) “If the House works its will,” all the current tax rates will be extended, “ a sharp rebuke of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and President Barack Obama .” ( Politico , 9/17/10) “Now the divisions are intensified within their demoralized ranks .”  ( New York Times , 11/6/10) “ Faced with unified GOP opposition, Obama didn’t get what he really wanted ” in 2010, The Washington Post reported at the time.  House Republicans are continuing to hold the line, and will again vote to deny President Obama the tax hike he is demanding – despite previously acknowledging that tax hikes hurt the economy and cost jobs .  House Republicans welcome the bipartisan support their plan is receiving from congressional Democrats, and will continue fighting to stop the tax hike and work “toward a new tax code that will help U.S. employers keep jobs in America, and bring back some of the jobs that have gone overseas,” Speaker Boehner has said.  Tell us what you think about stopping the president’s small business tax hike by using the #stopthetaxhike hashtag on Twitter, and see how the bipartisan plan to stop the tax hike stacks up against President Obama’s plan for 700,000 fewer jobs here .

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In 2010 Replay, Dems in Disarray as GOP Unites Around Stopping President Obama’s Small Business Tax Hike