Why Can't The Payroll Tax Cut Get a Vote?

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Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011

Why Can't The Payroll Tax Cut Get a Vote?

When the Senate voted to extend the payroll tax cut over the weekend, the bill got support from 89 Senators. That doesn't happen all that often -- most ideas just aren't that popular.

Check out all the other votes that received the support of 89 senators, including steps to reduce child poverty and funding for after school programs. Why can't the payroll tax cut get a vote in the House of Representatives?

What $40 Means to Americans Across the Country

President Obama will be speaking on the payroll tax cut and what $40 means to families at 1 p.m. EST. Watch live.

Opponents of the payroll tax cut dismiss its impact by insisting $40 a paycheck isn’t a lot of money. We know that's not the case for many families who are already working hard to make ends meet, so on Tuesday we asked them: What does $40 mean to you?

The response was overwhelming: more than 30,000 have people submitted responses through WhiteHouse.gov since Tuesday afternoon, and thousands more tweeted what $40 meant to them with the hashtag #40dollars.

See what $40 means to Americans across the country:

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

What $40 Means to Americans Across the Country
More than 30,000 people from all 50 states told us how losing $40 with each paycheck would affect them or their families if Congress fails to extend the payroll tax cut.

Office Hours 12/21/11 or "#40dollars" With Brian Deese
Today, Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, answered your questions about the payroll tax cut extension and why $40 matters during a session of White House Office Hours.

Even More Stories from Everywhere: What Does $40 Mean to You?
Family time, mortgage payments, and school tuition are a few more of the things people told us they would struggle with if Congress fails to extend the payroll tax cut.

Today's Schedule

All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

10:15 AM: The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

1:00 PM: The President delivers a statement [*]

1:45 PM: The President meets with senior advisors

[*] Indicates that the event will be live-streamed on WhiteHouse.gov/Live

ENDS

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