WASHINGTON — More than 80 percent of Americans say it is at least “somewhat important” that Congress extend the Bush tax cuts before they expire at the end of this year, according to a poll by Gallup.
A stunning 56 percent of Americans also say it is “very important” that Congress do something to prevent the estate tax from going up significantly next year as it is scheduled to do, according to the poll.
Half of Americans say it is “very important” that the rest of the Bush’s tax cuts be extended as well, compared to just 16 percent who say it is not important.
Taxes top the list of important issues Americans want the Democratic-run Congress to address during the lame-duck session between now and the start of next year, when Republicans take control of the House.
Democrats have been divided over how to address the expiration of the Bush tax cuts. Some have joined Republicans to demand that all the cuts be extended for all income levels.
But a majority of Democrats and President Obama have been harshly critical of the tax cuts since they were enacted by a Republican Congress and former President George W. Bush.
Those Democrats have since eased their criticism of the tax cuts for lower-income earners and insist that taxes be raised only on those earning more than $250,000 a year — including small businesses that file as individuals.