But for Democrats, the tax proposal also highlights past divisions in the party over the rates.
Boehner’s offer echoes past Democratic proposals for a millionaire’s surtax that have always been strongly opposed by the GOP and by many business trade groups in Washington. The latest proposal could drive a wedge in the Democratic caucus, as it resembles proposals that have drawn support from Democrats from states with high-income cities and suburban areas such as California, New York, Connecticut and Illinois. A number of Democrats from New York, for example, have pushed to raise the income ceiling for tax cut extensions to reflect higher average incomes in New York City and surrounding communities.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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