And the Dems are Blocking the Pro Gay Bill Because?

The boys from Log Cabin Republicans sent out an email blast about an amendment by Republican Senator Gordon Smith (OR) to the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would allow small business owners (like yours truly) to deduct the health care premiums of domestic partners from their tax bill. According to the Log Cabinites:

Current law allows small business owners, independent contractors, and consultants to deduct the total cost of their health insurance premiums. They also can deduct the premiums for their spouse and children, but not domestic partners. Smith’s bill would correct that inequity.

But the bill is being blocked by the Democratic Chairman of Smith's Committee:

Senator Smith was prevented from offering his amendment during a recent Finance Committee hearing because Democrat Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) threatened to rule it out of order. Now Smith has introduced his amendment to the entire Senate, but Baucus is still threatening to use arcane Senate rules to stop the amendment.

Says the leader of the Cabinites:

“Democrat leaders should allow a vote on this important amendment. LGBT Democrats gave a lot of money and support to their Party last November,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “Now Senate Democrats better not block the first piece of pro-gay legislation in the 110^th Congress. Majority Leader Harry Reid should stop Senator Baucus from obstructing this amendment and allow a vote by the full Senate.”

Seems like a fair amendment to me and seems like the dems should let it come up for a vote.