Politics: More on Lincoln Chafee

Reprinted from CQ's mid-day update (normally found here, but available from CQ by email):

CHAFEE FIRST SENATE REPUBLICAN TO OPPOSE BUSH TAX PLAN
Senate Democrats gained a Republican ally today in their effort to block President Bush's 10-year $674 billion tax cut plan: Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. Chafee and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., unveiled a proposal that would derail part of Bush's plan by blocking the reduction in the top income tax rate unless there is a budget surplus. The rate of 38.6 percent is set to be reduced to 37.6 percent in 2004 and to 35 percent in 2006 under the 2001 tax cut law (PL 107-16). Bush's proposal would accelerate the scheduled rate reductions. Chafee, a moderate who frequently strays from his party, was one of only two Republicans who voted against Bush's 2001 tax cut. "My fears have been born out: Our government is in deficit, and we have large, expensive challenges ahead," Chafee said. Chafee and Feinstein said their proposal would reduce the deficit by $88 billion between 2003 and 2011.

Lincoln Chafee...COME ON DOWN!