–House Speaker: ‘There’s An Easy Way To Untangle All Of This’
–Democrats Should Fully Back $900B FY’12 Omnibus Bill
–House Minority Leader Pelosi: Hopes Final Talks Are ‘Fruitful’
–Rep. Pelosi: Dems Want ‘Global Agreement’ On Omnibus, Payroll Tax Cut

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – In back-to-back briefings, both House Speaker
John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that
there is progress on resolving differences between the two parties on
the 2012 fiscal year omnibus spending bill and a payroll tax cut
extension package, but added no final accord has been reached.

Both leaders said there is no reason for a government shutdown to
occur when the current stop-gap spending bill expires Friday.

Speaking first, Pelosi said the parties should be able to resolve
the remaining issues if there is a “sincere effort” by Republicans.

Pelosi said the bipartisan talks are underway to assemble a payroll
tax cut extension package, adding “I hope they will be fruitful.”

She said the decision of Senate Democrats to drop their call for a
surtax on millionaires to pay for the payroll tax cut extension should
prompt Republicans to make concessions as well.

Pelosi warned House Republicans not to force through the House
their own omnibus spending bill, saying that would “make matters worse”
between the two parties.

Pelosi said Democrats want a “global agreement” that includes both
the FY’12 omnibus spending bill and an extension of the payroll tax cut.

Speaking next, Boehner also took a more conciliatory tone, saying
“there is no need to shut down the government.”

“There is an easy way to untangle all of this,” Boehner said.

He added the White House and congressional Democratic leaders
should formally sign off on a final $900 billion omnibus spending bill
rather than delaying their consent on it until there is an agreement on
the payroll tax cut extension bill.

“The bill is done,” Boehner said in reference to the FY’12 omnibus.

The omnibus package includes the 9 fiscal year 2012 bills that have
not been approved. A stop-gap bill funding the federal government
expires Friday. Only three of the 12 spending bills have been signed
into law so far.

After Congress clears the FY’12 omnibus, Boehner said, bipartisan
work can continue on the payroll tax cut extension bill.

“We have no interest in being strident about all of this,” Boehner
said.

Boehner said there has been “some movement” in the bipartisan talks
on a payroll tax cut extension bill, but said the Senate Democrats
decision to drop the surtax provision was not a major concession.

“They didn’t give up anything,” he said, arguing there has never
been sufficient support to pass this provision in the Senate.

** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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