The congressional stalemate over extending the payroll tax cut is only intensifying, as House Republicans refused to let Democrats bring up the Senate compromise bill for consideration.
The House voted yesterday to reject the two-month extension, but there was no vote in favor of the bill. In a symbolic move, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer tried to bring up the Senate bill, which passed by an 89-10 margin, but was rejected by Speaker Pro Tempore Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who walked off the House floor.
Fitzpatrick, instead, adjourned the House until Friday morning.
The incident is the latest to offer Democrats the upper hand in the ongoing public relations battle over the tax cut. Republicans are having difficulty explaining why they oppose a tax cut — after years of branding themselves the party of the same.
Earlier Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal editorial board excoriated House Republicans for blocking the Senate bill.
Hoyer's office sent over the following read-out of the events:
A few minutes ago, Speaker Pro Tempore Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), under orders from Speaker Boehner, refused to allow Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer to speak on the floor and ask for unanimous consent to bring up the Senate bipartisan compromise to extend the payroll tax cut.
Whip Hoyer and Congressman Chris Van Hollen are continuing to try to offer the Senate compromise even though Republicans walked off the floor.
Once again, Republicans are risking a tax increase on 160 million Americans and the loss unemployment benefits for those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
Watch the video below:
Please follow Politics on Twitter and Facebook.
Join the conversation about this story »
See Also:
- PAYROLL TAX CUT SHOWDOWN: Reid Says No Negotiations Until House Passes Senate Bill
- House Republicans Balk At Senate Payroll Tax Cut Deal
- PAYROLL TAX STANDOFF: The House And Senate Go Home For The Holidays — And The Senate Isn't Coming Back