"Now we're talking about a permanent easing, " Israeli military spokesman Maj Guy Inbar told the Associated Press news agency.

BBC: Israel lifts ban on gravel imports into Gaza

"Democrats agree that there should be permanent extension to the middle-class tax cuts, that there shouldn't be a permanent extension of tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, " said White House press secretary Bill Burton.

WSJ: Democrats Gird for Tax-Relief Battle

He is in a much stronger position to press on with his tax-cutting plans making the cuts enacted in 2001 permanent after 2010 and, possibly, pushing for fresh cuts.

ECONOMIST: Bush triumphs | The