One of the proposals will increase taxes on Americans making more than $250,000 per year, and a separate vote on a new proposed "millionaire's tax" that will create a new class of high-income taxpayer.
The Dems have admitted to cynically playing politics and wasting everyone's time. They know they don't have the votes to pass these bills. However, both of the pieces of legislation have been tied to Bush tax cut extension for middle- and lower-class taxpayers.
Sen. Chuck Schumer admitted that it's about the "argument," not doing what's best for the American people. "This is going to be a winning argument, not just for this week, but for the next two years."
There you have the modern Democratic Party: wasting precious time on meaningless votes while holding all Americans hostage, staring down the barrel of a gun at a massive January 1 tax hike.