House to Take Up Tax Deal

President Obama’s tax deal passed a procedural hurdle in the Senate Monday, but the key vote lies ahead in the House, where dissatisfied liberals have threatened to sink the deal. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says the House will probably take up the measure this week, but it may try to alter it as well. In particular, House Democrats want to change the 35 percent estate tax exempting the first $5 million to a 45 percent estate tax exempting the first $3.5 million. The Senate, meanwhile, will officially pass the deal on Tuesday or Wednesday.