Support lukewarm for tax haven plan

President Barack Obama's plan to end tax breaks for US-based multinational companies drew a skeptical response from fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill, indicating that his plan may face obstacles on its path through Congress.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, called for "further study" of Obama's proposals within minutes of the president's announcement yesterday. Representative Joseph Crowley, a Democrat on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, said he's wary because the tax changes would hurt Citigroup Inc, his New York district's largest private-sector employer.

Natalie Ravitz, a spokeswoman for Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat, said any tax overhaul should not lead to "unintended consequences".