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Politics : Mainstream Politics and Economics -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Paul Smith who wrote (8427)	2/7/2012 4:38:47 PM
From: koan	Respond to of 85487

I cannot see the posts. I didn't know that one even made it?

To: Paul Smith who wrote (8427)	2/7/2012 4:39:28 PM
From: koan	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 85487

I cannot see the posts. I didn't know that one even made it? Ignored Message ( last message in Subject ) This is what I get when I post.

To: Paul Smith who wrote (8427)	2/7/2012 7:09:12 PM
From: Brian Sullivan	Respond to of 85487

Congress is like "Groundhog Day", everyday is the same thing all over again. Talks on Payroll-Tax Cut Bog Down By NAFTALI BENDAVID Congress is poised for another 11th-hour standoff over extending the payroll-tax cut, foiling an effort to avoid the kinds of bitter confrontations that engulfed lawmakers last year. A House-Senate committee charged with finding a solution is laboring over how to offset the cost of extending the tax cut, which expires at month's end. The panel's meeting Tuesday was angry and unproductive, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said if a deal isn't reached within a week, Democrats would introduce their own package. "The reality is that as of today we haven't made much progress, and time's a-wastin'," said Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Ariz.), a member of the committee. "Where are we today, literally days away from the expiration?" added Sen. Richard Durbin (D., Ill.). "We're nowhere. We're back in the world of confrontation." Congress's deadline is tighter than it appears because lawmakers begin a weeklong recess Feb. 20. After that, they will have only a few days until the expiration of the popular tax cut, which reduces the tax to 4.2% of a worker's salary from 6.2%. The package being debated also could extend enhanced unemployment benefits, which currently last as long as 99 weeks for jobless workers. And it would adjust the Medicare-payment system to avoid a drop in doctors' fees. Members of Congress recognize their historically low approval ratings stem in part from public frustration over last year's disputes, which brought the government to the brink of a shutdown more than once, brought the country to the edge of default and contributed to a debt downgrade. But they seem unable to help themselves. The payroll-tax fight had a messy end in December. Democrats wanted to pay for the $160 billion package in part with a surtax on those earning more than $1 million a year. Republicans wanted to pay for a smaller package in part by cutting the federal work force through attrition, or opposed the idea of extending the tax cut altogether. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate ultimately agreed on enough funding to extend the break through February. House Republicans initially rejected that deal, and the party took a political hit as Democrats charged them with opposing a middle-class tax cut. Now both sides are focused on avoiding blame should the temporary effort expire in three weeks, which would mean a tax increase on almost every American worker. Democrats warn that Republicans are headed for the same public rebuke they suffered last year. "I guess they're masochists, because they want to go through it again," said Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.). Democrats also accused Republicans of inserting irrelevant items into the proposed package, such as a delay in new emissions rules for industrial boilers. GOP leaders say Democrats are sabotaging the deal while planning to blame Republicans by refusing to accept what they call reasonable funding ideas, such as an increase in Medicare premiums for some wealthy beneficiaries. "They want to blame Republicans in Congress if nothing is accomplished," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.). "I don't think it's responsible to decide…you're not going to do any more business." The Tuesday House-Senate conference committee wasn't propitious. Republicans laid out a proposal to help cover the cost of the yearlong extension with a freeze on cost-of-living increases for federal workers. Democrats restated their idea of imposing a millionaires' surtax. The talks became so contentious that lawmakers wouldn't take turns. Asked to yield the floor, Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) shot back, "No, I don't want to. At this point I've got some points to make and I want to complete them." Minutes later, Rep. Renee Ellmers (R., N.C.) decided Mr. Waxman was talking over her and said, "Let me go on. I'm not yielding my time." For all the bickering, committee members said they hoped to reach a solution in time. Some suggested party leaders were making a deal less likely. "We're hearing from both leaders, and I frankly guess my only point would be, let's let the conferees work," said Rep. David Camp (R., Mich.). "I don't think the comments from either side of leadership—from either body—are particularly helpful."