Steny Hoyer: Tax Cut Vote 'Under Consideration'

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said on Tuesday that Democrats are still considering a middle-class tax cut vote before the House adjourns this week.

"Frankly if we thought we could get it through the Senate, absolutely we would act and we may act anyway," said Hoyer.

"It is certainly under consideration," he added, when pressed for details on a possible vote.

Hoyer's comments mirror what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday when asked whether the House would vote on tax cuts this week, despite the inaction of the Senate.

"We will retain the right to proceed as we choose. We take it one day at a time," Pelosi told reporters.

On Sunday, Democratic lawmakers appeared divided when Rep. Chris Van Hollen said on "Meet The Press" that the tax vote may well happen, while Hoyer told Fox News that it is almost definitely not happening.

Hoyer stands by his assertion that a vote on tax cuts will probably not take place, but he conceded that House leadership hasn't ruled out the possibility.

"That's not saying that we're not going to do it -- it's saying I doubt we're going to do it," said Hoyer when asked to clarify his comments on Fox News.

House leadership will meet later this afternoon to discuss the issue and make a final decision, a Democratic aide told HuffPost.