Focus on Senate after House OKs payroll tax cut

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The focus shifts to the Senate now that the House has ignored a White House veto threat and approved a payroll tax cut bill that also opens the door for an oil pipeline and spending cuts that Democrats oppose.

The House approved the Republican bill Tuesday by 234-193. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the legislation cannot pass in his Democratic-run chamber, and he will force a vote to demonstrate its lack of support.

The two parties will eventually negotiate over the measure, which would also renew extra benefits for jobless people and prevent a steep cut in doctors' Medicare reimbursements.

Before leaving for the year, Congress also plans to tackle legislation financing agencies through next September, renewing Pentagon programs and creating a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2011-12-14-Congress%20Rdp/id-017b63bc0f8b45a097f85df1596755d6

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