Despite opposition, a key Democrat predicts tax deal will pass Congress

President Obama’s tax cut deal with Republicans will pass through Congress, despite a tide of opposition from Democrats, Rep. Barney Frank predicted Wednesday.

Asked on MSNBC if Congress will pass the deal, Frank (D-Mass.) — who said he is opposed to the compromise — said, “I’m afraid that it is, yes.”

{mosads}Very few, if any, members of Congress have predicted the deal will pass since Obama announced the accord Monday night. 

As the outgoing chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Frank is a high-profile voice within the Democratic caucus. 

Incoming House Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is less confident the bill would pass.

“I’m not sure this bill can pass in this form in the House of Representatives,” he said during an interview on MSNBC. “Time will tell.”

The crux of the deal would extend all of the expiring Bush tax cuts for two-years in exchange for a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits. The plan has been met with opposition mostly by Democrats in Congress, who say they were not consulted enough during the negotiations.

Despite his prediction, the 15-term Massachusetts congressman said he opposes the deal because he believes there are better ways to stimulate the economy than re-authorizing the high-end tax cuts. 

“No, I won’t vote for it. I don’t feel that I should be coerced,” Frank said.

— This post was updated at 2:56 p.m.