"I do not expect Congress to go home unless the payroll tax cut is extended and unless unemployment insurance is extended. It would be wrong for families but it also would be wrong for the economy as a whole," Obama said. "This is not about me."
However, the president has been campaigning on the tax holiday as well as against Congressional dysfunction in general. And with Congress' approval rating hovering around a bottom-basement 9 percent, the strategy has been effective.
Obama met with House Democratic leaders today, a day after he met with their Senate counterparts and discussed pushing one-year extensions for all the expiring measures.
Meanwhile, the Senate prepared for another pair of dueling votes this afternoon on Democratic and Republican payroll tax cut extension plans.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
