Editorial: Gridlock hurts nation's business

U.S. Senate Democrats and Republicans rumbling over extending expiring tax cuts should be able to agree on one thing: It's time to stop beefing and vote. That's the only way this lame- duck Congress will have a chance to do other important business before leaving town.

The dueling positions are clear on the tax cuts scheduled to end Dec. 31. Democrats want to extend them for 98 percent of taxpayers making up to $200,000 as individuals or $250,000 as couples. The House voted Thursday to do just that. Republicans want to extend the cuts for all taxpayers.

With the government running trillion-dollar-plus deficits, Congress shouldn't dig the hole deeper by foregoing billions of dollars in tax revenue from the nation's wealthiest people. But there are enough Senate Republicans to block a vote on the Democrats' plan. And Republicans vowed to block action on everything else until tax and budget issues are resolved.

That makes a compromise inevitable. So cut the deal already - preferably one that extends unemployment benefits for the millions of people who will otherwise lose that financial lifeline.

The Senate should finish with taxes and turn its attention to other important matters, such as giving a fair compensation deal to those 9/11 responders who are ill and allowing gay people to serve openly in the military.

Get on with the public's business. hN