Pay To Extend Unemployment Benefits? Why Not Pay To Extend Temporary Tax Breaks Too?

In the battle over whether to extend long-term unemployment benefits, one of the Republican talking points is: Sure, we'll consider an extension, but it must be paid for. That's a fine idea. Here's another: In exactly the same way, Congress should offset the cost of restoring dozens of temporary tax breaks that expired on Dec. 31 by raising other taxes.