Washington – Fresh back from their August recess, Democrat majorities on Capitol Hill yesterday followed through on one of their major election year promises: passing legislation to roll back President Bush’s tax cuts.

The final tax hike, which the White House says amounts to $2.4 trillion and will raise taxes on every American taxpayer, was passed on party line votes in both chambers.

“We need this money to pay for all sorts of vital national interests,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at a press conference immediately after the Senate passed the bill. “We in Washington have a responsibility to take care of the American people, and after six years, we are finally making sure that we have the resources to live up to that responsibility.”

In a statement, DNC Chairman Howard Dean said, “I am proud the House and Senate have passed the tax plan I proposed while running for President. The Republican tax cuts were absurd then and they are absurd now.”

Dean, widely considered a presidential candidate, had some suggestions for the use of the new federal funds. “There are some areas in which we can and should be doing more. For example, I proposed free rabies shots for Vermont cats while I was governor. That was a vital public health issue, and I think we should look to expand that program on a national level.”

The legislation would roll back marriage penalty relief, the increase in the child tax credit, and the dividend and capital gains tax cuts.

Each of the income tax brackets would increase, including a 50 percent increase in the current 10 percent bracket.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY), who as far back as 1986 maintained that tax bills that do not raise revenues do nothing for the economy, dismissed criticisms of the Democrat tax bill.

At a town hall meeting with fellow New York legislators, Rangel said, “It’s only going to be about $100 from each paycheck, give or take. Pretty soon, no one will even notice.”

“We don’t want to raise taxes on everybody,” one Democrat aide said. “But some adjustments are more than overdue. For example, married couples making more than $80,000 a year with three or more kids, at least two pets, a part-time gardener and a commute of not less than 5 miles but not more than 7.5 – those people need to pay their fair share.”

President Bush has promised to veto any tax increases, which Democrats say points to the need for a Democrat victory in 2008.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, “Election ’08 is shaping up to be one of the most important in our lifetimes. I will do everything in my power to elect more Democrats next year. The American people spoke last November, but President Bush is ignoring them by threatening to veto vital economic legislation. It is unacceptable.”