John Boehner On Payroll Tax Cut Extension: 'I Need The President To Help Out'

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John Boehner says it's time for President Barack Obama to help end Congress' impasse over renewing the payroll tax cut and jobless benefits.

The Ohio Republican said Tuesday that he wants Obama to call on the Democratic-led Senate to return to Washington and bargain with the House over a compromise plan. He said at a news conference, "I need the president to help out."

The Senate has passed a bipartisan plan to extend those expiring tax cuts and unemployment benefits for two months, giving negotiators time to agree to a year-long plan.

The GOP-run House has rejected the Senate plan and wants to start bargaining now. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he won't negotiate until the House approves the Senate's two-month package.

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Comments

[Greg Bell]

10:50 PM on 12/21/2011

BS...he wants the President to step in HIS mess.

[l78lancer]

06:00 PM on 12/21/2011

Why is it that the right wants to overreach and curb presidential powers (i.e. the proposed bill for regulation to be approved by congress, or the now famous XL amendment) normally, but when they get into trouble they want the president to "help out," "show leadership," or "get involved?"

The congress has a job defined by the constitution. The president is not the superlegislator so it's their responsibility to get the deals done, not his.

Boehner's request is hypocritical at best.

[l78lancer]

05:54 PM on 12/21/2011

He needed no help and wasn't interested in hearing anything until it became clear he was in an extremely weak and indefensible position. The TP got him painted into a corner.

He didn't heed the presidents's help. He needed to get the votes to pass the senate bill.

[Ted LPD]

02:46 PM on 12/21/2011

REPUBLICANS ARE HEARTLESS AMERICANS
VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN

[Ted LPD]

02:44 PM on 12/21/2011

REPUBLICANS WANT TO VOUCHER MEDICARE
VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN

[Ted LPD]

02:43 PM on 12/21/2011

REPUBLICANS INCREASED MY TAXES
VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN

[Ted LPD]

02:42 PM on 12/21/2011

Republicans want to drug test Americans
vote Obama/Biden

[Ted LPD]

02:41 PM on 12/21/2011

REPUBLICANS SIT ON JOBS BILL
VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN

[plansmaker]

12:47 PM on 12/21/2011

Boehner and Reid must step back and put America's interests first not their political party's interests. If not, there will be pink slips flying on November 2012...

[Ted LPD]

02:37 PM on 12/21/2011

Reid did his part. Not sure you have been following up!

[cincypix]

12:32 PM on 12/21/2011

gravescanada, I'd like to think this was a charade between John and Mitch, but the more John says, the more clueless he sounds. If he had stones, he'd cut the Teahadis loose. He left one each with his wife and a lobbyist, and the Teahadis cut him loose instead to go watch "Braveheart"

[Patriotology]

11:16 AM on 12/21/2011

Bushir compared Cantor to Llago yesterday, pretty damning stuff.

[gravescanada]

10:25 AM on 12/21/2011

Boehner and the Republican House members have fallen so low, they can no longer do anything that would remotely help the economy. They have lost all credibility in this country. Everyone now sees that this is the mode of operation. Boehner was in constant communication with McConnell during the Senate process of passing this legislation. This is simple trickery, claiming they can not pass something Boehner himself helped McConnell to create. Lies, all these lies. This House of Representatives will go down in history as the most do nothing group of legislators America has ever seen.

[ClintBMD]

06:46 PM on 12/21/2011

The Tea Party really outdid themselves this time.

But they can look at the bright side: They have earned more than footnote in American history. Their selfish unyielding stances have earned at least a page or two on how to successfully dither away their country - and countrymen's future.

[CMONMAN2012]

01:37 PM on 12/22/2011

So, the HGOP/TPRs want somebody, anybody else to help them out of the corner THEY backed themselves into, to do their jobs for them, to help them save face?
why does Boneheadr always have a pained look on his face? Is that Cantors HAND UP HIS BEHIND?

[ethicsbob88]

10:10 AM on 12/21/2011

So Boehner and teh Repubicans have an opportunity to keep the money flowing and the economy going (which always helps with jobs) and instead opts to reduce the GDP by 1/2 percent because they are focussed on trying to hurt the Dems

Party first, working people last. Well if you voted GOP, you have got the government that you voted for

[Ted LPD]

02:38 PM on 12/21/2011

That's right

[lindabear]

10:00 AM on 12/21/2011

Hey Boenner, you don't want the President to help out, you want to take the country down to make him a one term president. And you silliness offends the middle-class. By the way, I loved the sign jobs.GOP.gov on your podium, you and your team do not want to create jobs or you would have done so in the past twelve months. You are the worst speaker ever and just remember, little smirking eddie cantor is right behind you with a knife. I have a request for you, go enjoy your HOLIDAY knowing that Americans are suffering.

[jmhprose]

09:48 AM on 12/21/2011

Call the White House and tell Obama to let Boehner rot. 202-456-1111