Obama: Hawaii Vacation Will Be Put On Hold For 'As Long As It Takes' To Pass Tax Cuts Extention

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is emphasizing that he would forgo his Hawaiian vacation and stay in Washington for "as long as it takes" Congress to extend payroll tax cuts and unemployment insurance. Both measures are set to expire at the end of the year.

Obama has said he will pressure lawmakers to stay in session until the tax cuts and unemployment benefits are extended.

On Thursday, Obama said he wouldn't ask lawmakers to do something he's not willing to do himself. He is scheduled to leave for Hawaii on Dec. 17, but says he will stay beyond that date if the work isn't done.

Obama also delayed his trip to Hawaii last year so Congress could finish work on a series of issues.

Comments

[cwbyspirit]

03:45 PM on 12/28/2011

Are people really stupid enough to believe Obama was born in Hawaii?

[APBTLover01]

09:48 PM on 12/20/2011

That's mighty nice of him.....being this is an election year. I can't wait to see what else he's going to amaze us with because of the election.....it's going to be interesting.

[Rharte]

11:43 AM on 12/09/2011

Honestly, the term vacation is misleading. You don't hear them refer to a "Mitch McConnell Kentucky Vacation" do you? No offense to Kentucky. For chris'sakes the prez was born in Hawaii. This stuff IRRITATES me.

[APBTLover01]

09:51 PM on 12/20/2011

None taken. I agree with you it's all whatever message "they" want to get across to the people. Not so sure what good it will be to show the president taking a $4 mil vacation while so many Americans are pinching pennies til they scream. They do it to EVERYBODY!!!

[parlimentMike]

05:22 PM on 12/08/2011

You cant say "I'll walk the walk." you just walk it.

It's understandable that he didn't know that.

[Jennifer Mead]

05:20 PM on 12/08/2011

I hope he has finished with empty threats and is finally willing to play hardball with the do-nothing-congress.

[hstdem]

05:02 PM on 12/08/2011

I really wish writers of articles like this one would specify that the president is from Hawaii and is celebrating Christmas with his family there.

They make it seem like the president is going on a Hawaiian vacation just for kicks.

[beardown]

04:14 PM on 12/08/2011

Go on vacation! Let tax holiday expire!!

[notsmiling]

03:46 PM on 12/08/2011

Romney has been running around all week complaining about obama's vacation. He will be devastated. He'll need a new next big thing to complain about. Oh never mind! When did the truth ever get in his way. He just complain about the vacation that obama was going to take or maybe he'll claim there's a double in the white house and the president is really in hawaii golfing.

[BCinVA]

04:29 PM on 12/08/2011

Romney got ahead of himself, he needs to be worrying about Newt. Newt is already writing his inauguration speech. I think Obama ought to start hounding the both of them for a birth certificate, and then if they produce promply suggest it is fake.

[hoover52]

03:13 PM on 12/08/2011

But, of course, the do-nothing congress will, as always . . . do nothing.

[John Paul From Austin Tx]

03:12 PM on 12/08/2011

bush was on vacation for more than 1,000 days. that's 3 years on vacation during his 8 year rule and the republicans have the nerve for attacking obama for visiting home for the holidays. moderates flee the republican party.

[zatoichi]

03:04 PM on 12/08/2011

If Barrack Obama puts off his vacation in Hawaii, that would be unfortunate.

Goodness knows he deserves more than any Republican.

[DoTheMath]

03:03 PM on 12/08/2011

Can the president call a special session and force congress to work through the holidays? I think people would like to see that even if the payroll tax cuts weren't pending.

[CommodoreP]

04:19 PM on 12/08/2011

I don't think so but Harry Reid can make them stay. I beleive there is rules too that as long as there is a quorum they can pass legislation which means that if the GOP senators walked out then the dems could pass certain measures without them. So basically the GOP has to stay to get a say.

[emmanuel kalu]

04:52 PM on 12/08/2011

lets hope that the republicans leave. so the dems can pass the necessary laws.

[StillAmused]

03:02 PM on 12/08/2011

Flummoxed, cornered Republicans will now accuse the President of being "anti-family" by depriving his wife and children of a much-deserved vacation.

Anyone else smell desperation in the room?

Pity the m0r ons who are impressed with these lame spitball snipers.

BTW, headline writer, the word is "extenSion".

[Father Tom]

03:06 PM on 12/08/2011

Good catch! But it's actually reduced SS contributions. A much bigger misstatement.

[emmanuel kalu]

04:53 PM on 12/08/2011

it would be replaced by the general fund. and it is much better to have more people paying slightly less than have fewer worker paying more. we need to increase the workers and so many of our problem would be better.

[Father Tom]

03:01 PM on 12/08/2011

"Tax Cut Extension"???

You mean continuing the reduced Social Security contributions, while INCREASING taxes on those evil rich people? Those "tax cut extensions"????

[good4you]

02:35 PM on 12/08/2011

Vacation? POTUS is never really on vacation...not in this world of electronic hyper-speed communication. Nobody really takes a vacation anymore...just can't get loose from the digital collar !

[Stephen Stafford]

02:56 PM on 12/08/2011

You can get away from it. You turn it off. You do not pack it. You do not pack the chargers. You stay off the grid.

It is very refreshing.

[SirCoolBreeze]

03:05 PM on 12/08/2011

Little people can do that. Leader of the Free World can't.

[emmanuel kalu]

05:00 PM on 12/08/2011

everyone know the president is truly never on vacation. yes he can get a game of golf in, while is staff drive around the course with phones and faxes for him. that is not a vacation.