US Senate passed tax cut bill

The United States Senate has approved a controversial $858 billion tax cut package, overwhelmingly voting to extend the Bush-era tax reductions, despite a series of objections from both the left and the right.



The measure was passed by 81 to19 votes to advance to the House of Representatives yesterday.



The package includes a two-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire December 31.



It also would extend unemployment benefits for 13 months, cut the payroll tax by 2 percentage points for a year, restore the estate tax at a lower level and continue a series of other tax breaks.



President Barack Obama praised the vote and urged the House of Representatives to quickly approve the bill.