Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) speaks during a meeting of the House-Senate Conference Committee on how to extend the payroll tax cut February 7, 2012 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
(Alex Wong/Getty Images/Getty)
Despite months of partisan bickering, plans to extend the payroll tax cut have remained at an impasse — and all the while, the end-of-the-month expiration date was drawing nearer. But Monday afternoon, GOP leaders reversed their stance and agreed to extend the payroll tax cuts for another ten months beyond February. They have also rescinded their demand that congress find a way to pay for it.
Todd Zwillich is the Takeaway's Washington correspondent.
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Comments [3]
I saw a very good presentation on the PBS NewsHour. Zwillich said explicitly that the $100B is going on the deficit. Question: On the same day ( Monday ) the Republican House leaders caved on this issue, the President released a revised deficit of $1.33T. Is the $100B included in the $1.33T? I suspect not but I don't know.
Back in mid-December, when the hosts and their guests on The Takeaway were raking Republicans over the coals for wanting to, like, pay for the extension of a broad payroll tax cut, it would have been nice to know that no matter what Republicans did, they'd be criticized for it. Damned (by public radio) if they supported it; damned (by public radio) if they opposed it.
http://www.thetakeaway.org/2011/dec/23/last-minute-deal-means-payroll-tax-cut-extension/
"When in doubt the Republicans say just go into more debt"
That is priceless.
When the Republicans stand firm on pay as you go they are accused of being uncompromising obstructionists and when they give in they get the blame for Obama's debt increasing proposal.
Such is the crisis in the media today where factual journalism meant to inform is mixed with deceptive activism meant to persuade.
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