Senators to push for $100 gas rebate checks

CNN ^ | 04/27/2006 | From Dana Bash

[HOTTIEBOY]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Every American taxpayer would get a $100 rebate check to offset the pain of higher pump prices for gasoline, under an amendment Senate Republicans hope to bring to a vote Thursday.

However, the GOP energy package may face tough sledding because it also includes a controversial proposal to open part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil exploration, which most Democrats and some moderate Republicans oppose.

Democrats are also expected to offer their own competing proposal, as members of both parties jockey for political position on the gas price issue.

The energy package, sponsored by Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa, Ted Stevens of Alaska, Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, will be offered as an amendment to an emergency spending measure now before the Senate funding the Iraq war and hurricane relief, according to a senior GOP leadership aide.

Under Senate rules, either the GOP amendment or the Democratic alternative would probably need 60 votes to pass, which is considered unlikely. However, the amendments would give senators a change to cast votes on measures designed to help constituents being hit by high gas prices.

[Rumierules]

What a joke.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Rebate checks? Stuff em where the sun don't shine.

They gouge us with taxes and then 'give' us a rebate. Screw rebates. Cut what we pay in the first place!

[Glenn]

What a joke.

There will no doubt be a provision to deny it to people who make more than the poverty level wage.

[rellimpank]

--the usual Senatorial jackassery--"full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"--

[theDentist]

Are Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa, Ted Stevens of Alaska, Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania facing re-election? I think they're all testing the waters for Presidential viability...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Grassley's been there too long.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Well, I guess we were wondering where our gas tax dollars go. That $100 was mine to begin with.

The oil companies and middle eastern nations are loving this...

[plain talk]

I wonder what the cost is of printing and mailing all those "rebate" checks? Why don't they just cut taxes going into the kiddy?

[sinkspur]

The Republicans in Congress have lost their collective minds.

Rebate checks are boob bait for bubbas. Instead of cutting federal gas taxes in half (that would be $.09 per gallon), they buy a couple of rounds of drinks for Deewayne and buds on Friday night.

[caver]

I assume that those who don't pay taxes will also get a rebate. That how the libs played it will Bush's tax cut.

[Mikey_1962]

Pandering at its finest...

[HOTTIEBOY]

Anyone here who doesn't want their check can send it to me.

[The_Victor]

Why not just make the stinkin' tax cuts permanent you dolts (the Senators, not you HOTTIEBOY).

[Apercu]

Crumbs...mere crumbs for the peasantry.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Ted Stevens of Alaska,

Thanks for the $100 kiss, but I forked out more than that so you can build your multi-million dollar bridge to nowhere, Senator.

[reagan_fanatic]

[Mo1]

Oh here's an idea
How about you just cut the gas tax

[don-o]

FREE MONEY!! I want $1000.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I wonder if he'll cry like a baby and threaten to leave the senate if he doesn't get what he wants...