In a perfect democracy, at least 50% of people would support every decision.

The U.S. falls short of this goal.

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Spoken For.
H.R. 7005 // December 11, 2008House: Needed two-thirds to passSenate: Needed 60 votes to end debate

Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008

Sponsor: CHARLES RANGEL (D-NY)

Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2008 for individual taxpayers: (1) the offset of nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability; and (2) the increased alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts. Increases the alternative minimum tax (AMT) refundable credit amount for individuals who have long-term unused minimum tax credits from prior taxable years. Abates any underpayment of tax attributable to the application of special AMT rules for the treatment of incentive stock options.

Taxation Topic assigned by the Congressional Research Service.

Who won, and how much of the country was behind them

Chamber

Won the vote · Nay

35 votes, representing 62,543,326 people27.2%of U.S. adults

Lost the vote · Yea

52 votes, representing 139,066,441 people60.6%of U.S. adults

The dotted gap is 12.2% of U.S. adults whose member did not vote, voted “present,” or whose seat was vacant.

Share of U.S. adults represented, the Senate. The winning side fell 22.8 points short of a majority of the country.
SideOutcomeVotesShare of U.S. adults
NayWon3527.2%
YeaLost5260.6%
Not represented on this questionNo position taken012.2%

Senate This side won even though more senators, and more Americans, voted the other way. Ending debate needed 60 votes here, not a majority.