Payroll tax cut fight ends ugly year for Boehner

[bigrun]

WASHINGTON --

John Boehner vowed early on that as speaker, he would let the House "work its will." At the end of his first year in charge of the fractious Republican-controlled chamber, it's clear he has little choice.

An uncompromising band of conservatives, led by GOP freshmen to whom Boehner owes his speakership, has repeatedly forced him to back away from deals with President Barack Obama, Democrats and, this week, even one struck by Senate Republicans. Gridlock, again and again, has defined Congress in the Boehner era.

In a closed meeting Monday night, a few Republicans gave voice to widely whispered questions about Boehner's ability and willingness to represent them in negotiations with the White House and Senate. They were incensed that the Senate had overwhelmingly passed a two-month extension of a payroll tax cut and then left town. House Republicans were demanding a yearlong tax cut, but there was no longer a Senate in session to negotiate with.

How could this have happened, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., asked Boehner, according to officials who were present.

Rep. Cliff Stearns was more direct: Was the Senate deal really a total surprise? Or did Boehner give some sort of tacit agreement?

Boehner tersely, adamantly denied doing so, according to those present. He said he had not expected the Senate's overwhelming approval.

It was an ugly end to a year of gridlock on Capitol Hill that earned Congress historically low approval ratings and the nation a downgrade in its credit rating.

However, the speaker's allies say his patience and his willingness to pull back is preventing conservatives from trying to replace him.


http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2...-b-ar-1558247/

[geeker2]

Two-month extension of a payroll tax cut that feeds SS - that is really showing leadership and what is good for the nation


Excellent work Senate

[dellinger63]

If we're to believe the average family will pay an extra 1K/year, brings great news (hidden) in that the 'average american family' is making 50K a/year. Pretty close to middle class IMO.

Again our poor are rich and obese compared to the rest of the world. America should be very very proud.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

If we're to believe the average family will pay an extra 1K/year, brings great news (hidden) in that the 'average american family' is making 50K a/year. Pretty close to middle class IMO.

Again our poor are rich and obese compared to the rest of the world. America should be very very proud.

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by Riot

See even our live stock have TV's.

BTW 95% of our 'poor' do. LOL

[Riot]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

See even our live stock have TV's.

BTW 95% of our 'poor' do. LOL

Enjoy your Republican-generated tax increase in 11 days Your paycheck will be about $40 smaller, I'll guess. Be sure to blame the right people

[bigrun]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

See even our live stock have TV's.

BTW 95% of our 'poor' do. LOL

Was that a Fox poll?...and are they 50" wide screens?....

[Riot]

Originally Posted by geeker2

Two-month extension of a payroll tax cut that feeds SS - that is really showing leadership and what is good for the nation


Excellent work Senate

Excuse me, but let's blame the appropriate parties here:

Senate Dems asked for a year extension, clean bill. Republicans denied it.

Senate Dems put in different stuff Republicans requested as hostages - much from Speaker Boehner - three different times, including Keystone pipeline: each time they did, Republicans then changed their mind and denied it.

Then the Senate Repubs, who knew they have to pass unemployment benefits, agreed to two months, giving us 2 months after the holidays to "negotiate", passed it, and left town.

And now Boehner is in deep trouble, as he knows the 2 month extension will pass with most Republicans in the House, but his Tea Party Screamers don't want it. He's caving to the Tea Party crazies. But now he's stuck, as the Senate is gone.

[geeker2]

It is a great Bill..it just needs to be 1 year...2 months just means we will be doing the same sh*t over again in Feb.

I hope the House holds firm Love the Keystone Pipeline


GOP 2012 !!!

[Riot]

Originally Posted by geeker2

It is a great Bill..it just needs to be 1 year...2 months just means we will be doing the same sh*t over again in Feb.

I hope the House holds firm Love the Keystone Pipeline

GOP 2012 !!!

Well, the vote on Keystone would have been a no. They don't want that in there. They didn't think the Dems would put that in, but they did. The Dems put in every single thing the GOP asked for, much to the GOP's shock.

Keystone is gone now for them.

Now the GOP - specifically Boehner - owns an across-the-board tax increase for all of us, and throwing millions off unemployment in 11 days. Raising everyone's taxes - including your's (your January paychecks will be smaller). And causing doctors who treat Medicare patients to lose about 27% of their income starting Jan. 1.

Enjoy that while you cheer on your Republicans.

Oh - and one of the GOP refusals because the Republicans had the Dems take out a tax increase (paying for this) on the wealthy. So enjoy that the GOP is increasing taxes on everyone who makes nothing, while the wealthiest were saved from the tax increase by your beloved GOP. The GOP chose to cut your paycheck in two weeks, so the wealthy wouldn't lose any money.

You'll notice that Sen. McConnell is here in Kentucky, and has NOT publicly supported Boehner. He's leaving the Speaker to hang out to dry all by himself, because Boehner has caused his own problems and reneged on his word - with his only option to pass the 2 month extension.

The Dems are 100% out of this, this is pure Republican infighting: House GOP refusing to do what Senate GOP has done for them, Boehners Republicans infighting and him with zero control of his House. It's so bad McConnell has washed his hands of it, and Sena

Tte Republicans are publicly dissing Boehner. The House GOP is falling off a cliff, and the Tea Party is pushing them.

Boehners only choice, at this point, if he wants to save any GOP seats in 2012, is to call his House back into session tomorrow, and vote the 2 month extension in.

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by Riot

Well, the vote on Keystone would have been a no. They don't want that in there. They didn't think the Dems would put that in, but they did. The Dems put in every single thing the GOP asked for, much to the GOP's shock.

Keystone is gone now for them.

Now the GOP - specifically Boehner - owns an across-the-board tax increase for all of us, and throwing millions off unemployment in 11 days. Raising everyone's taxes - including your's (your January paychecks will be smaller). And causing doctors who treat Medicare patients to lose about 27% of their income starting Jan. 1.

Enjoy that while you cheer on your Republicans.

Oh - and one of the GOP refusals because the Republicans had the Dems take out a tax increase (paying for this) on the wealthy. So enjoy that the GOP is increasing taxes on everyone who makes nothing, while the wealthiest were saved from the tax increase by your beloved GOP. The GOP chose to cut your paycheck in two weeks, so the wealthy wouldn't lose any money.

You'll notice that Sen. McConnell is here in Kentucky, and has NOT publicly supported Boehner. He's leaving the Speaker to hang out to dry all by himself, because Boehner has caused his own problems and reneged on his word - with his only option to pass the 2 month extension.

The Dems are 100% out of this, this is pure Republican infighting: House GOP refusing to do what Senate GOP has done for them, Boehners Republicans infighting and him with zero control of his House. It's so bad McConnell has washed his hands of it, and Sena

Tte Republicans are publicly dissing Boehner. The House GOP is falling off a cliff, and the Tea Party is pushing them.

Boehners only choice, at this point, if he wants to save any GOP seats in 2012, is to call his House back into session tomorrow, and vote the 2 month extension in.

I love the House's position ! Hold firm !!

GOP 2012