(CNN) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said Monday he will not agree to reopen negotiations with House leaders on the payroll tax cut until the House passes the two-month extension already approved by the Senate.
"I have always sought a year-long extension. I have been trying to forge one for weeks, and I am happy to continue negotiating one once we have made sure middle-class families will not wake up to a tax increase on January 1st," Reid said in a statement. "So before we re-open negotiations on a year-long extension, the House of Representatives must protect middle-class families by passing the overwhelmingly bipartisan compromise that Republicans negotiated, and was approved by ninety percent of the Senate."
Finally, a Democratic leader in Washington grows a pair!
Good for Him. Its time to make a stand
Good. If Republicans want to own the idea of raising taxes on middle-class families, that is their choice. Or, they can pass the extension. This one is ALL on the GOP.
That's fine, Let it expire.
The unemployed are the major problem, not those who have jobs.
they called their bluff..sick em harry!!!!!
It could not be more clearer who is to blame..
No reason to let the GOP off the hook.
Weeks to talk about it before Congress comes back.
"Middle class tax cuts don't help the 1%" .
The ironic part is that that is true only in their warped economics.
No action until the supreme Sen. Reid says congress can. Does he think he is God? Maybe not but he certailny acts as though he is. It's not nice to fool with the senate leader or he will turn you into a frog.
Why doesn't dirty Harry want to help the middle class? Its always NO, NO, NO with him and no compromise. He says "I have always sought a year-long extension. I have been trying to forge one for weeks, and I am happy to continue negotiating one once we have made sure middle-class families will not wake up to a tax increase on January 1st," So basically he is saying he only cares about this January 1st. What about January of 2013 and 2014. If its that important for the middle class to recieve this 2% then why not just eliminate it all together. He is playing politics and thats what he is best at!
awesome! so glad that we pay them so much money to do nothing
Stand firm, Senator Reid! The American people are behind you. According to MSN Money, 58% of Americans want it.
If Republicans really cared about "the will of the people," they'd support the extension of the payroll tax cut.
was that backbone coming from Harry...must be a Christmas miracle
That's right Mr. Reid...stick to your guns!! As much as I don't want to see my taxes go up, it's high time you start dealing with these "children" and their my way or the high way mentality. Call their bluff!!! Ok Mr. Boehner....your move dude...whatcha gonna do?
This tax cut is of absplutely no benifit to Middle Class Families, who will be making up the difference in fees and other taxes. Obama already caused America's credit worthiness to be cut, by threatening to Violate the Fourteenth Amendent and it is time for the Democratic Party's SEIU puppets to stand down.
DNC - the party of NO. Reid is being an obstructionist.
Nice to see the democrats not backing down for once.
Sorry Harry but it's a tax cut for the 99% and Republicans don't do those.
I have to agree on Reid on this. It's one thing if the temp extension was partisan and barely passed.
But the vote was 90 – 10. Strong republican support, if the House has a problem with the bill they should be speaking to their senate affiliates.
Reid: "Before we can tackle the problem, we must kick it down the road a couple of months"
Americans won't forget this one. The Republicans are handing the 2012 elections to the Democrats by their continuing ignorance toward the middle class. Time for a 3rd Party, a middle-of-the road Independence Party.
The House republicans are trying to say that Senate doesn't matter. Why would they object to their own party's agreement? The under-the-table money these House republicans are getting from their lobbyists must be one heck of a number because they couldn't be any more obvious that they are puppets for the oil business. Why else would a guy like Rick Perry be where he is?
Sounds good to me. GOP better pass the 2 month so they can get started on the 1 year negotiations.
Why doesn't the American public see that it is the Republicans who continually throw a monkey wrench into the works just to make the whole Congress and President look bad.
Boehner, the day of reckoning is coming for you and all those Norquist-pledge traitors in the Congress.
We'll endure the pain. And then you'll feel the pain in 2012 !
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Well. I guess we need to reconsider awarding Mr. Ried the Teddy Roosevelt Spirit of Compromise award.
Mr. Reid,
I will gladly forfeit my $1,000 tax break if you will hold your ground on this. I am a middle class tax payer, and although $1,000 is a lot of money in my home, it would be money well spent if it kept the republicans from strong arming the middle class again. I would rather see you say "no" to them and not let them get away with this, than to have that $1,000 in my pocket. And let me tell you, I could use the money. But, I would consider the money well spent if it meant taking a stand against these morons and not letting them get away with it this time. Enough is Enough!
Obama 2012!!