Rep. Levin urges Senate to pass tax extenders

House Ways and Means Chairman Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) on Wednesday weighed in on the tax extenders debate taking place in the Senate by urging the upper chamber to pass the bill this week. 

"We have a million and a quarter who lost their unemployment benefits," he said, adding, "I don't know what more anybody can ask of necessity. ... This is an emergency." 

After debating the bill for more than eight weeks, the Senate has only been able to move the "doc fix" portion of the bill, a term that describes delaying Medicare payment cuts to physicians. House leaders have resisted voting on the measure because of how its pension relief offset would affect multi-employers. 

"I think it's broadly recognized that there has to be some changes to the pension provision," Levin said, adding, "That's understood in the Senate as well ... it's possible they may even include a revised doc fix in the their [new] bill." 

Congressional staffers and lobbyists say Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) could introduce a revised substitute to the extender bill after Finance staffers discuss changes to the bill with members from K Street. 

Sources say Senate Democratic leaders are looking to fully offset an extension to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) included in bill to sway at least some Republicans into supporting the bill. 

"He [Baucus] is now trying to get some Republicans to step up to the plate; that's where the emphasis is," Levin said, adding, "The ball is in the court of the Republicans. That's where the ball is."

Levin and Baucus have had several discussions to ensure that whatever does eventually pass the Senate will also be able to pass the House. 

"We've had a lot of discussions about that," Levin said.