Thune: Democrats showing interest in GOP extender bill

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) on Wednesday said concerns over deficit spending have prompted Senate Democrats into taking a serious look at his fully paid-for substitute tax extender bill. 

"We have had a number of inquiries — quiet inquiries from Democrats who are interested in it and want to fund out more about it," he told reporters. "I don't know what that signals in ultimate support, but my sense is that there are Democrats that are becoming increasingly queasy about the votes they have made and are looking for a way to gain some absolution, perhaps, and this is a way to make a vote that would do something about deficit spending." 

Thune's substitute offers similar tax relief and extends funding for many of the same programs included in the Democratic proposal, but it is paid for by undoing stimulus spending. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Thune option would reduce the deficit by $68 billion. 

"There's a whole series of things that we think make a lot of sense at a time when the American people are asking Congress to be more fiscally responsible," Thune said. 

The senator said a vote could occur on his proposal on Thursday.