Less barriers for 2012 payroll holiday extension
Legislation that would extend the Social Security tax cut for 160 million Americans through the end of 2012 is likely to pass without an extended period of debate - unlike the two-month extension granted at the eleventh hour last year, following a prolonged legislative battle.
This time, Democrats will not be attempting to link the payroll holiday extension to a spending bill intended to keep the government running. The spending bill, which was strongly opposed by Republicans, has already been signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Now, both sides are largely advocating for the same thing, which is expected to result in the successful passage of legislation related to the payroll tax holiday, unemployment benefits and Medicare payments for doctors before the February 29 deadline.
"There is no reason this bill cannot be completed swiftly and with little acrimony," said a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, as quoted by Politico.
However, The New York Times notes that Democrats and Republicans may still clash over a proposed premium increase for high-income Medicare beneficiaries, a decrease on the cap for guaranteed unemployment benefits and a potential extended freeze on civilian federal employee salaries.
This time, Democrats will not be attempting to link the payroll holiday extension to a spending bill intended to keep the government running. The spending bill, which was strongly opposed by Republicans, has already been signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Now, both sides are largely advocating for the same thing, which is expected to result in the successful passage of legislation related to the payroll tax holiday, unemployment benefits and Medicare payments for doctors before the February 29 deadline.
"There is no reason this bill cannot be completed swiftly and with little acrimony," said a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, as quoted by Politico.
However, The New York Times notes that Democrats and Republicans may still clash over a proposed premium increase for high-income Medicare beneficiaries, a decrease on the cap for guaranteed unemployment benefits and a potential extended freeze on civilian federal employee salaries.
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