–Cites Concerns About GOP Omnibus Bill, Including Payroll Tax
WASHINGTON (MNI) – The White House late Wednesday called on
Congress to approve yet another stop-gap spending bill to fund the
government temporarily, while it continues to work on the overall
package for the 2012 fiscal year that began Oct. 1, citing concerns
about the bill Republicans presented.
“The President continues to have significant concerns about a
number of provisions that have been reported to be in the Republican
agreement on the omnibus,” White House Communications Director Dan
Pfeiffer said in a statement.
He cited “provisions that would undermine Wall Street reforms,
enact extreme social and ideological riders, undercut environmental
protections, and threaten the foreign policy prerogatives of the
President.”
“Given the magnitude of the legislation — providing over $1
trillion dollars in funding — coupled with the unresolved payroll tax
cut and unemployment insurance extension, Congress should pass a
short-term continuing resolution as it has seven times already this year
so that all parties have an appropriate opportunity to consider and
complete all of the critical budget and economic issues necessary to
finish our responsibilities for the year,” Pfeiffer said.
The omnibus package includes the nine fiscal year 2012 bills that
have not been approved. The current stop-gap bill funding the federal
government expires Friday. Only three of the 12 spending bills have been
signed into law so far.
House Speaker John Boehner said Wednesday afternoon that the White
House and congressional Democratic leaders should formally sign off on a
final $900 billion omnibus spending bill rather than holding it
“hostage” for negotiations on the payroll tax cut extension bill.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said earlier Wednesday there is
no final agreement on the omnibus spending bill, and there are about a
half dozen items that still need to be resolved still.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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