Thursday, February 2, 2012

House and Senate negotiators are making halting progress on extending a two percentage point cut in payroll taxes.

Lawmakers are clearing away noncontroversial issues like keeping welfare recipients from using debit cards in strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores. Negotiators have also agreed to extend a tax break for small businesses that purchase new equipment.

The negotiating panel is focusing on lesser issues in hopes of creating momentum to get an agreement by a Feb. 29 deadline.
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But the panel's discussion Thursday reveals a major rift. House Republicans propose to block new EPA rules on emissions from
incinerators and industrial boilers like those used in making paper. But Democratic leaders and the White House support the rules.