House Votes Down Senate Bill To Extend Payroll Tax Cut By Two Months
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By a party-line vote of 229-193, the House of Representatives has blocked the Senate-passed bill to extend the payroll tax cut, and called instead for a conference between the two chambers to hash out their differences and reach a compromise.
Republican leaders structured the vote in a way so as to avoid its members having to vote directly on the Senate bill, a move sharply criticized by Democrats. The vote was mostly along party lines, but a few Republicans broke ranks to vote against the measure.
The Senate bill includes a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut as well as unemployment benefits and a provision to delay scheduled cuts to doctor’s payments under Medicare. The bill had been approved by the Senate by an overwhelming 89 to 10 margin, but House Republicans have argued that a two month extension is terrible policy and want to negotiate a deal for a full-year extension.
However, the Senate has adjourned for Christmas break, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, R-Nev., said he would not agree to a conference with Republicans.
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