Hoyer: House not looking to add AMT to extenders

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Tuesday said serious discussions have not taken place in his chamber on adding middle-class relief from the alternative minimum tax (AMT) to legislation extending several expiring measures.

"It's been talked about in the Senate, not so much here," he told reporters. 

AMT relief, commonly called a "patch," expired in 2009. Each year it not only costs tens of billions of dollars to extend, but its cost also increases as more taxpayers become susceptible to the tax since it is not adjusted for inflation. 

Under pay-as-you-go rules, a patch could be extended through 2010 without having to offset its cost. 

Hoyer did not rule out the prospect of a patch eventually being added to the extender bill. He said that Ways and Means Chairman Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) and Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) are working together to create a cohesive package that can pass both chambers.  

"I've urged Senator Baucus and Congressman Levin to try to come to an agreement before we pass bills so we will have some assurance that both houses can pass the same bill in a relative short period of time," Hoyer said. 

The legislation is expected to extend several tax breaks that expired last year, resuscitate benefits for the unemployed, address the so called 'doc fix,' and extend Build America Bonds. The bill might also include funds for summer programs. 

A major sticking point with the bill is how to offset its cost, which some estimate could be approximately $180 billion. 

Benefits for the unemployed are not expected to be offset, but Hoyer said tax-writers are looking to pay for more than just the tax breaks that are included in the bill. 

"Summer jobs we think will be offset," he said, adding, "There may be other things in there, other matters will be offset. And that mix is being discussed between the 2 committees."