Congressional negotiators have reached a deal over extending the payroll tax cut for two months, before the tax break expires Dec. 31. House Republicans learned terms of the agreement in a late-day conference call yesterday. The House is set to vote on the deal today.
Boehner said in a statement that he and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid agreed to change legislative language to protect small businesses from new reporting requirements included in the plan. The short-term deal allows for negotiations in the coming weeks on a year-long extension to be discussed by conferees from both the House and Senate.
“Today, I congratulate members of Congress for ending the partisan stalemate,” said President Barack Obama in a statement. “Because of this agreement, every working American will keep his or her tax cut – about $1,000 for the average family.” Unemployment insurance will also continue, under terms of the deal. “When Congress returns, I urge them to keep working to reach an agreement that will extend this tax cut and unemployment insurance for all of 2012 without drama or delay,” added Obama.
WEIGH IN:
Are you relieved about a short-term extension allowing for more negotiations? What are your thoughts on the partisan nature of this debate? How would raised taxes affect you?
Guest:
Congressman John Campbell, (R-CA) 48th Congressional District in Orange County, which includes Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel
Congressman Brad Sherman, (D-CA) 27th Congressional District contains the west San Fernando Valley cities of Sherman Oaks, Reseda, Northridge, and Porter Ranch
Mark Barabak, national political reporter for the Los Angeles Times