–Senate Majority Leader: Must Also Pass FY’12 Omnibus And ‘Doc Fix’
–Sen. Reid: Blasts GOP’s ‘Strange Way’ of Supporting Payroll Extension
–Sen. Reid: ‘Progress is Being Made’ On FY’12 Omnibus Spending Bill
–Senate Minority Leader: ‘In Favor Of’ Payroll Tax Cut Extension
–Sen. McConnell: Extension Should Be Done ‘In Conjunction’ W/Jobs Ideas

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday
that the Senate will vote Friday on another Democratic plan to extend
the payroll tax cut and chided Republicans for what he said was a
false profession of support for the extension.

In comments to reporters after a Senate Democratic party luncheon,
Reid scorched Republicans for their “strange way of proving” their
backing for the payroll tax-cut extension.

He said Republicans have voted against several Democratic plans.

Reid said that before the Senate leavs Washington for the
Christmas holidays it must pass an extension of the payroll tax cut,
unemployment insurance benefits, a renewal of various other expiring tax
provisions, the so-called “doc fix” and an omnibus spending bill for the
2012 fiscal year budget.

“We are not going to leave Washington,” until these measures are
dealt with, Reid said.

Reid said talks surrounding the FY’12 omnibus spending bill are
continuing.

“Progress is being made. We still have a ways to go,” Reid said,
adding that Republicans are still pushing for 113 policy riders — many
of which Democrats oppose.

Speaking after Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said
many Republicans are “in favor” of a compromise with Democrats on a plan
to extend the payroll tax cut.

McConnell said Democrats have staged several political votes on the
payroll tax extension that are designed to fail.

He said Democrats are more intent on embarrassing Republicans on
the issue of the payroll tax extension than finding an acceptable
compromise. Such a compromise, McConnell said, should not include any
tax hikes to pay for the payroll tax extension.

McConnell said the payroll tax cut extension should be approved
“in conjunction with job creating proposals.” He said House Republicans
are working on such a package and suggested it will include some energy
related items.

House Republicans are preparing an alternative payroll tax
extension package that would cost about $200 billion and would be paid
for by entitlement and other savings.

The two parties are poised to spend much of the next two weeks
battling over the details of renewing the payroll tax cut and other
expiring tax provisions.

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

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