Dems pass tax breaks in committee

[January 23, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tax breaks totaling more than $275 billion have been approved by a House committee, the latest success for President Barack Obama's economic recovery program.

The package cleared the House Ways and Means Committee on a party-line vote of 24-13.

It includes tax breaks of $500 for many workers and $1,000 for millions of couples, including those with earnings so low that they pay no federal income tax.

The overall economic stimulus legislation will include federal spending as well as the tax cuts. Democratic leaders have promised to pass it by mid-February.

[Associated Press]

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