House now to vote Tuesday on payroll tax cut bill

(AP) - The Republican-controlled House intends to wait until Tuesday to reject a Senate measure providing a two-month extension of Social Security payroll tax cuts due to expire on Dec. 31. GOP lawmakers

News 12 Staff

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Dec 20, 2011, 2:06 AM

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Updated 4,755 days ago

(AP) - The Republican-controlled House intends to wait until Tuesday to reject a Senate measure providing a two-month extension of Social Security payroll tax cuts due to expire on Dec. 31.

GOP lawmakers say they want a year-long extension instead and are calling for formal negotiations with the Senate.

The announcement came Monday evening after a lengthy, closed-door meeting of the House GOP rank and file.

It's not clear what will happen after the vote, since Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has already said he won't open talks until the House approves the two-month measure.

At issue are not only the tax cuts, but also a program of unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless, and money to avert a 27 percent cut in payment rates for doctors who treat Medicare patients.