Boehner told Members that he would send them home this afternoon after the House votes on the spending bill.
According to GOP aides, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Va.) told Members they would be given at least 24 hours' notice before they needed to return to Washington for votes on any payroll tax extension bill.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) were on the floor this morning expressing optimism about the ongoing talks on extenders. Reid said negotiators are making "really good progress" on finding an agreement. It was the second day of good feelings from the two rivals, but aides acknowledged there's still much work left to be done before leaders can shake on a deal.
McConnell, through a spokesman, also said today that he would not support any agreement that did not include the Keystone pipeline. He is slated to talk about the issue on the floor early this afternoon.
Jessica Brady and John Stanton contributed to this report.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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