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As GOP Lawmakers Eye Cutting Estate Tax, Will They Increase Income Inequality?

Members of the College Republican National Committee demonstrated against the estate tax in Washington in 2006. The tax was eliminated in 2010 but was reinstated a year later. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

Business

As GOP Lawmakers Eye Cutting Estate Tax, Will They Increase Income Inequality?

As Republicans prepare to pass their massive tax overhaul, they are planning to lessen, or even eliminate, the estate tax. Critics say the tax plays an important role in making the economy fair.

As GOP Lawmakers Eye Cutting Estate Tax, Will They Increase Income Inequality?

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GOP Leaders Maneuver To Pass Tax Bill Over Deficit Objections

Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., seen at a hearing earlier this month, held up floor action on Thursday evening over concerns about how to control the deficit if the GOP tax bill doesn't result in strong economic growth. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

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Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Politics

GOP Leaders Maneuver To Pass Tax Bill Over Deficit Objections

Two key GOP holdouts came on board after getting concessions they say will help small businesses. That creates a path to pass the bill over concerns that it could add over $1 trillion to the deficit.

Republicans Move On Tax Overhaul In House And Senate

Seated behind a stack of IRS and tax volumes, Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y. (left), and Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., attend a Ways and Means Committee debate on the GOP tax plan on Wednesday. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Politics

Republicans Move On Tax Overhaul In House And Senate

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to approve a sweeping plan to cut taxes for most individuals and businesses. Senate Republicans are set to unveil their own vision for taxes.

Budget Pruning Leaves Canadian Potted Plants Out To Dry

Plants for auction at GCSurplus, the Canadian Government's site for the sale of surplus goods. Plants from the House of Commons may soon join them. Courtesy of Public Works And Government Services Canada hide caption

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Courtesy of Public Works And Government Services Canada

The Two-Way

Budget Pruning Leaves Canadian Potted Plants Out To Dry

There's no such thing as a free lunch, even for plants. With budgets tight and dedicated funds for plant maintenance drying up, the Canadian House of Commons is sending its greenery to auction.

Why Hiking The Age For Medicare Eligibility Wouldn't Save Much

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio talk with reporters at the White House after a meeting about the federal budget deficit and economy in Nov. 2012. Some Republicans have proposed raising the Medicare eligibility age to 67. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

Shots - Health News

Why Hiking The Age For Medicare Eligibility Wouldn't Save Much

The annual Medicare bill is expected to hit $1.1 trillion in 2023. As Medicare spending grows, contributing to the federal deficit, some policymakers have suggested that raising the age of eligibility to 67 could help the budget should be an option.

It's All Politics

White House Details 2013 Cuts If Congress Doesn't Avert Fiscal Cliff

Under orders from Congress, the administration detailed exactly how it would administer painful cuts to both defense and domestic programs that were ordered under last year's budget deal. But the Office of Management and Budget reiterates that the threat of cuts is meant to spur congressional action.

White House Details 2013 Cuts If Congress Doesn't Avert Fiscal Cliff

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