House Republicans Balk at Senate Version of Payroll Tax Bill

It looked the the payroll tax bill was a done deal, at least for two months. But the Senate changed the bill and now House Republicans are balking. They want a bill that covers a full year, and they want the bill to be paid for.

Congress is edging closer to yet another down-to-the wire showdown as House Republicans shun a bipartisan payroll tax cut bill approved by the Senate and prepare to write a package to please rank-and-file GOP lawmakers clamoring for a more conservative version.

The House was returning to work Monday, two days after the Senate easily approved a compromise solidly supported by both parties and left town for a month. The House scheduled a vote late Monday, with leaders saying they would either formally request talks with the Senate on a new bill or make changes in the Senate measure that were uncertain late Sunday. (Read More)

According to The Washington Times, Democrats are stunned.

Mr. Boehner’s move stunned congressional Democrats and President Obama, who just a day earlier had blessed a deal that the top Republican and Democrat in the Senate had struck to extend this year’s payroll-tax cut for two months into the new year – less than the full year all sides say they want, but the longest to which they could agree for now.

“Two months is just kicking the can down the road,” Mr. Boehner said on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” saying he expects the House to reject that deal when it convenes Monday. The Ohioan said he and fellow Republicans will insist on a full-year extension of the payroll tax, such as the one the House GOP passed through the chamber last week.

The rekindled fight means Congress may have to stay in session through Christmas, and likely further delays Mr. Obama’s scheduled vacation in Hawaii. (Read More)

On the bright side, if they keep President Obama from going on vacation they will save taxpayers millions.

Tags: house, payroll, rejects, Senate, tax cut