Things are lookin' up.....
12/17/2011
Senate approves two-month extension of payroll tax cut ...
Senate lawmakers on Saturday voted overwhelmingly to extend the payroll tax cut by another two months, after both sides were unable to reach a comprehensive agreement to extend the cuts and unemployment benefits for a full year.
President Barack Obama told reporters that he was pleased with Saturday's vote, which passed 89-10
The $33 billion bill, should it pass the House, also speeds up a decision on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, giving the White House 60 days to make a call on the project.
The pipeline, thought to be a necessary part of coaxing Republican support for the payroll tax break, is something the White House has threatened to veto.
When asked about the president's support of the bill despite the pipeline provision, a senior administration official said Friday that Obama's top priority was making sure taxes don't go up in the new year.
"The labor unions like it. Many Democrats want it," he added. "It strengthens our national security by decreasing the amount of oil we get from unfriendly countries. And it wouldn't cost the tax payers a dime."
The pipeline, thought to be a necessary part of coaxing Republican support for the payroll tax break, is something the White House has threatened to veto.
House Republicans pushed through their own version of a payroll tax measure this week that also included the pipeline provision.
Saturday's Senate bill is expected to reduce the deficit by nearly $3 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Its $33 billion in costs are thought to be offset by an increase in fees that new homeowners with federally backed mortgages will pay to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration.
========
Things are goin' in the ....right....direction...........Yes, the right direction...(no pun intended)
12/17/2011
Senate approves two-month extension of payroll tax cut ...
Senate lawmakers on Saturday voted overwhelmingly to extend the payroll tax cut by another two months, after both sides were unable to reach a comprehensive agreement to extend the cuts and unemployment benefits for a full year.
President Barack Obama told reporters that he was pleased with Saturday's vote, which passed 89-10
The $33 billion bill, should it pass the House, also speeds up a decision on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, giving the White House 60 days to make a call on the project.
The pipeline, thought to be a necessary part of coaxing Republican support for the payroll tax break, is something the White House has threatened to veto.
When asked about the president's support of the bill despite the pipeline provision, a senior administration official said Friday that Obama's top priority was making sure taxes don't go up in the new year.
"The labor unions like it. Many Democrats want it," he added. "It strengthens our national security by decreasing the amount of oil we get from unfriendly countries. And it wouldn't cost the tax payers a dime."
The pipeline, thought to be a necessary part of coaxing Republican support for the payroll tax break, is something the White House has threatened to veto.
House Republicans pushed through their own version of a payroll tax measure this week that also included the pipeline provision.
Saturday's Senate bill is expected to reduce the deficit by nearly $3 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Its $33 billion in costs are thought to be offset by an increase in fees that new homeowners with federally backed mortgages will pay to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration.
========
Things are goin' in the ....right....direction...........Yes, the right direction...(no pun intended)