U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he hopes to have enough votes to extend middle-class tax cuts while allowing those for the wealthy to expire at year's end.
"It would certainly be the right thing to do," Reid told reporters after a meeting with his 59-member Senate Democratic caucus.
Republicans, with 41 Senate seats, could raise a procedural roadblock against a bill that renews only tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000 a year. Republicans want to extend tax breaks for those earning more than that as well.
Democrats would need at least one Republican vote to muster the needed 60 votes to clear such a hurdle.
Asked if he had the votes to extend only middle-class tax cuts, Reid said, "I hope so."
"There's only one way of finding out, and that's to take a vote on it. I think Democrats all support it," said Reid, adding he plans to hold a vote before the Nov. 2 election.
Obama's tax proposal has fanned a largely partisan battle in advance of the Nov. 2 midterm election, with Senate Republicans Monday pouring cold water on hope for a compromise.
Republicans contend raising taxes on anyone as the economy struggles would cost jobs, while Democrats say extending tax cuts for the rich would worsen the deficit.
