Senate Democrats are winning the political fight over the payroll tax cut. But Republicans still control the House and that gives them plenty of agency. Some reports suggest they might pass partisan legislation to extend the payroll tax cut, loaded full of GOP goodies, and then adjourn for the holidays, leaving Democrats holding the ball. (They’ve tried this before.)
Democratic leaders are fully aware of this and say they’re not fazed. They’re warning House Republicans not convince themselves they can get away with it.
“There’s some talk that Speaker Boehner next Wednesday will throw us some kind of proposal and go home,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at a Wednesday press availability. “Don’t go home, Speaker Boehner, because we’re going to be here, and we’ll be embarrassed before the American people if you do.”
Before the press conference, Democratic leaders met with President Obama and they say he’s prepared to drop his own holiday plans to bully pulpit Republicans into playing ball.
“I’ll paraphrase it but I’m pretty close,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). “He said, ‘Michelle and the girls are gonna have a great time in Hawaii. They don’t need me there.’”
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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