Most moderate of Republicans targeted to support extenders

By Jay Heflin - 05/12/10 03:33 PM ET

Senate Democratic leaders have designated Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and potentially Scott Brown (R-Mass.) as possible supporters for legislation extending several tax breaks and spending measures because they are deemed to be the chamber's most moderate of conservatives, said a Democratic aide.

Democratic leaders only need 1 of these senators to support the measure and pass it from the chamber, assuming all Democrats support the bill.

Members like Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are expected to oppose the bill because it includes a wide range of spending initiatives, most of which will not be offset, and tax increases that are considered controversial, the aide said.

Earlier today, Grassley, as well as some Democratic lawmakers, withheld support for the bill until after they were aware of its details.

The bill is expected to extend several individual and business tax breaks that expired last year, resuscitate benefits for the unemployed, address the so called 'doc fix,' extend welfare funding to states, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP, and modify and extend Build America Bonds. The bill might also extend the summer jobs program.

The legislation is expected to cost between $180 billion and $200 billion, according to sources. Of that figure, roughly $50 billion will be offset, according to House Ways and Means Chairman Sandy Levin (D-Mich.).

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) believes at least one Senate Republican will support the bill since negotiations were bicameral and done with the goal of getting the package through both chambers.

"It has been built in discussions back and forth between the House and the Senate, unlike a lot of times where we will take action here independent of what happens in the Senate and it goes nowhere," he said. "So there is considerable thought and hope that what has been discussed can be enacted in both chambers."