Hoyer Says Democrats Must Accept Tax Deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says Democrats have no choice but to fall in line behind the tax cut compromise that President Barack Obama negotiated with congressional Republicans.

Hoyer tells MSNBC in an interview that continuing to fight the deal because it includes cuts for the wealthy would be to put the middle-class and lower tax bracket people at risk and also jeopardize the jobless who badly need unemployment benefits.

The Maryland Democrat said Democrats have enough votes in the House to again pass a measure without tax breaks for the rich, including the estate tax relief, but that there's a solid wall of 41 Republicans in the Senate who would block it there. He said, "We don't want to put the nonwealthy in our country at such risk."