House GOP revolts on payroll deal
Let me translate this: some GOP congresscritters are starting to get angry Christmas cards & letters. The slacker lawmakers have figured out that the villagers are getting out the pitchforks and torches to greet them back home.
House Republicans are in full revolt in the wake of Senate passage of a two-month payroll tax holiday package, casting serious doubt on the fate of a bill that already has President Barack Obama’s approval.
In a private conference call on Saturday afternoon, rank-and-file House Republicans complained bitterly about the contents of the deal, which would extend through February the president’s Social Security tax cut, unemployment insurance and Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors. The sweetener of a provision requiring the president to expedite consideration of the Keystone XL oil pipeline wasn’t enough to offset the bitterness of a deal that gives the president two more months to pillory Republicans on a tax cut that is one of his most popular policies.
Republican leaders were warned that they could expect a rebellion if lawmakers are forced to vote on the Senate version of the bill, according to a source on the line. After the call, it’s not clear whether Republican leaders will try to pass the bill with a combination of Republican and Democratic votes or try another version and bring the Senate back to town. Leadership is expected to reconvene this weekend to talk about how to proceed. The House is coming back into session Monday, the office of Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) announced Saturday evening.