By voice vote this afternoon, the House passed the Buffett Rule Act of 2012, which paves the way for taxpayers to voluntarily pay more than they owe to reduce the national deficit. Taxpayers already can pay more than they owe, but the legislation would facilitate the process by adding a checkbox directly to federal tax forms.

House sponsors said the bill would make it easier for Buffett and others to contribute to debt reduction "to their heart's content." — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) September 19, 2012

House Dems objected to the debt contribution bill, calling it "chicanery." They called for higher taxes on wealthy to reduce deficits. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) September 19, 2012

The legislation would need to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate to become law. Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who wrote the bill, said, “If Warren Buffett and others like him truly feel they’re not paying enough in taxes, they can use the Buffett Rule Act to put their money where their mouth is and voluntarily send in more to pay down the national debt.” Problem solved, right?

Beautiful LOL RT @DRUDGE_REPORT House approves bill to allow wealthy to voluntarily pay more taxes… http://t.co/3bO4xeHE — David Limbaugh (@DavidLimbaugh) September 19, 2012

Libs will be lining up! @DRUDGE_REPORT: House approves bill to allow wealthy to voluntarily pay more taxes… http://t.co/wVnPLTHZ” — fretbunny (@fretbunny) September 19, 2012

Ha! "EASY" Button 4 Buffet RT @DRUDGE_REPORT: House approves bill to allow wealthy to voluntarily pay more taxes… http://t.co/sCf3TMvK — LEANN SEEHUSEN (@SAMMIESMILES8) September 19, 2012

House passes new Buffett Rule http://t.co/A2jDu5Ih OK Now lets see how many of Obama's Billionaire friends pay more; as they said they would — Chris Angelini (@ConserValidity) September 19, 2012

Perfect! That is how it should be. Now let's see those wealthy liberal's checks pouring down on the Treasury http://t.co/3pMwJ715 — Enrique J.L. Durand (@ejldurand) September 19, 2012

Dear Hollywood, you no longer have to worry about those evil millionaires and billionaires not paying their fair share: http://t.co/tJNgGJtE — Kemberlee Kaye (@KemberleeKaye) September 19, 2012

Paging Eva Longoria!! RT @DRUDGE_REPORT: House approves bill to allow wealthy to voluntarily pay more taxes… http://t.co/0oJ2bZPl — Linda Marie (@HudBannon) September 19, 2012

The move comes the day after President Obama told David Letterman he couldn’t remember just how big the national debt was. Note: it passed the $16 trillion mark just as the Democratic National Convention was getting underway. Will the checkbox make it easier for those who’ve been so anxious to pay more but just haven’t been able to find the checkbook?