Senate Dems Draft ‘Backup’ Plan If Payroll Tax Conference Committee Fails
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(Image Credit: Bill Clark/Getty Images)
For the second time in as many days, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is increasing the heat on the payroll tax conference committee.
The committee, tasked with finding a deal to extend the payroll tax cut for a year before its Feb. 29 deadline, has met three times, making little — if any — progress.
Reid today said that Senate Democrats are already “drafting” a bill as a “backup” if the committee fails to reach agreement. The majority leader said he would bring the bill to the floor ”if we don’t have something in the relatively near future from the payroll conference committee.
“If we have to put it forward we will,” Reid said on a conference call today with reporters, “Democrats will not let taxes go up on the middle class.
The two-month extension of the payroll tax cut expires March 1, leaving the committee slightly more than three weeks to broker a deal.
“We need to get a payroll tax bill done,” Reid said. “I have great confidence in my conferees, but I am not going to stand by while the stalling takes place on the Republican side.”
The bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers was chosen by Senate and House leaders after the House and Senate failed to pass one bill for a year-long extension of the payroll tax cut, opting instead to pass the short two-month deal and leave the larger negotiation to the conference committee.
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Why didn’t you extend them longer than two months, when you had the chance Harry ?
Posted by: Watch out for them ! | February 3, 2012, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
Only in the bizzaro world of politics are outright lies presented as truth. It’s Harry that presented a pared down 2 month jobs bill last year for the president’s desk. Rather unbelievable!
Posted by: newcountryman | February 3, 2012, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
The truth is……..the Dems NEVER want to CUT ANYTHING, but just want to continue to spend, spend, spend, then claim they need to tax millionaires unfairly????
The Dems are complete and total frauds!
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | February 3, 2012, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
“If we have to put it forward we will,” Reid said on a conference call today with reporters, “Democrats will not let taxes go up on the middle class.”
No, that’s the Republicans job. How else to pay for the tax cuts for the rich?
Posted by: A Cynic | February 4, 2012, 8:46 am 8:46 am
Harry, Harry, Harry how about a budget Harry. How about voting on all the jobs bills (some Obama’s) the House has passed and you will not let come up for a vote because the President told you not too. How can he blame Congress if you let things pass that will help?
Posted by: Freedom | February 4, 2012, 9:52 am 9:52 am
How about voting on all the jobs bills (some Obama’s) the House has passed and you will not let come up for a vote because the President told you not too. Posted by: Freedom | February 4, 2012, 9:52 am.
Wow, another factually challenged Right Winger. What a surprise. Please list all these “jobs bills” that you think Obama is stopping the Senate from voting on. And while you’re at it, tell us how they spur job growth. I’ll wait.
Posted by: A Cynic | February 4, 2012, 10:34 am 10:34 am
Cynic; Obama doesn’t have to stop legislation from moving forward in the Senate (as you put it)….he’s got Harry doing the dirty work.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 4, 2012, 11:10 am 11:10 am
newcountryman —- I wasn’t the one who made that claim, I was quoting “Freedom” from 9:52 a.m.. I know “Freedom” won’t respond to my post for actual facts to back up his or her preposterous claims.
Posted by: A Cynic | February 4, 2012, 11:22 am 11:22 am
It’s always all about Harry. If it wasn’t for Harry, everything would work like a Swiss watch. (not)
Posted by: sameagain | February 4, 2012, 11:34 am 11:34 am
I actually think Harry losing the leadership role in the Senate would be more beneficial to the country in general than Obama losing his bid for a second term. At least Obama would need to use his veto pen more. Right now Harry is allowing Obama to go on record as non-committal to House bills (since he seldom sees any). It’s almost like just voting “present” like he use to do. And what a smoke blower Harry is. Like we don’t see what he’s doing.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 4, 2012, 11:56 am 11:56 am