–Senate Majority Leader: No Sign Yet That GOP Wants Payroll Deal
–GOP ‘Won’t Take Yes For Answer’ On Payroll Extension
–FAA Bill Will Create 300,000 Jobs
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blasted
Republicans Monday for delaying progress during negotiations on a
payroll tax cut extension package and said he will offer an alternative
package if the talks fail to make progress soon.
In remarks on the Senate floor, Reid said he is “dismayed” by
reports that congressional Republicans are deeply divided over the
merits of a payroll tax cut package and this making the negotiations
more difficult.
Republicans, he jabbed, “won’t take yes for an answer,” on the
payroll tax cut extension.
A House-Senate conference committee has been working for several
weeks to draft a payroll tax cut package.
The talks are focusing on a $160 billion package to extend the
payroll tax cut, extend unemployment insurance benefits and prevent a
deep cut in Medicare reimbursements for doctors. Congress passed
two-month extensions of these programs which will expire at the end of
February.
President Barack Obama and congressional leaders say they want to
pass a one-year extension for these programs, but there are scores of
policy details to resolve as well as a budget offset package of at least
$160 billion.
House Republicans recommend paying for the package by extending a
federal employee pay freeze, increasing Medicare premiums for upper
income beneficiaries, and cutting funds from the new health care law.
Senate Democrats prefer to pay for the package by imposing a surtax
on those with incomes over $1 million.
In his comments, Reid made it clear that the surtax would be the
key funding mechanism for his plan — if he decides to introduce it.
On another matter, Reid said the Senate Monday evening will pass
the FAA reauthorization bill that would create about 300,000 jobs.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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