Payroll Tax Deal Taking Shape

[ProSense]

Payroll Tax Deal Taking Shape

By Daniel Newhauser and Meredith Shiner

<...>

Heading into Wednesday evening, however, conferees were attempting to set up a meeting to formally sign on to the package.

Before all the specifics were released, Members on both sides, even in leadership, groused about provisions in the bill. Democrats took issue with a provision that would cut some federal worker pensions to fund the jobless benefits. Such a move could put Members from Maryland and Virginia — including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and payroll tax conferees Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) — in a tough spot.

"A lot of us are concerned," about taking money from federal worker pensions, Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said. He added that such a provision could keep him from voting for the bill.

One Senate Democratic aide indicated that Members were trying to replace the provision with another that would still attract the requisite amount of Republican support to pass the bill.

Republicans, meanwhile, had a host of complaints about plan, including the fact that the $100 billion payroll tax cut extension would not be offset and that the bill would not contain sought-after reforms to the unemployment insurance system.

- more -

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_97/Payroll-Tax-Deal-Taking-Shape-212471-1.html?pos=hftxt

Finally, a report that doesn't read like a Republican press release.

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[customerserviceguy]

2. I know that Boner and his cronies

in the Rethuglican leadership like this, but can they get any tea partier votes? I would guess not. If there are enough Democratic votes and non-TP votes, then it passes. But look for the tea partiers in the districts where establishment Republicons who voted for this try to primary the "infidels".