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US Congress in payroll tax votes US Congress approves tax cut deal
(40 minutes later)
The US Congress is voting on a short-term renewal of a payroll tax cut, a day after House Republicans caved in to overwhelming pressure on the issue. The US Congress has approved a short-term renewal of a payroll tax cut, a day after House Republicans caved in to overwhelming pressure on the issue.
The Senate has just approved a slightly modified version of a two-month package it approved only last week; the House of Representatives votes next. The bill extends the tax cut as well as unemployment insurance for two-months.
House Republicans had previously refused a vote on the bill. Lawmakers held voice votes on the deal, requiring only a few members to be present.
After the holiday recess, a joint conference committee will meet to work on a year-long deal. A joint conference committee will work on a year-long deal, after the holiday recess. The bill now goes to President Barack Obama to sign into law
The measure saves about $1,000 (£638) each year for an average US income.The measure saves about $1,000 (£638) each year for an average US income.
Lawmakers are holding voice votes on the deal, requiring only a few members to be present.
On Thursday, Republican House Speaker John Boehner told members of his party about his U-turn in a muted conference call, where they could not ask questions.On Thursday, Republican House Speaker John Boehner told members of his party about his U-turn in a muted conference call, where they could not ask questions.
A similar call last weekend prompted a revolt from Tea Party opponents of the bipartisan deal, prompting this week's political showdown. A similar call last weekend prompted a revolt from Tea Party-backed opponents of the bipartisan deal, prompting this week's political showdown.
Thursday's climbdown was a rare retreat for Republicans, who since gaining control of the House in 2010's mid-term elections have wrung a string of concessions from the White House.Thursday's climbdown was a rare retreat for Republicans, who since gaining control of the House in 2010's mid-term elections have wrung a string of concessions from the White House.
Conservatives were initially sceptical about extending the payroll tax break, which economists say would aid US economic recovery.Conservatives were initially sceptical about extending the payroll tax break, which economists say would aid US economic recovery.
But as Republicans demurred over the $120bn (£76bn) cost of the plan, Democrats had accused them of backing tax cuts only for the wealthiest Americans.But as Republicans demurred over the $120bn (£76bn) cost of the plan, Democrats had accused them of backing tax cuts only for the wealthiest Americans.
Correspondents say Mr Boehner's backpedalling reflects a realisation in his party that it would have faced blame for an effective tax rise on US workers in a general election year.Correspondents say Mr Boehner's backpedalling reflects a realisation in his party that it would have faced blame for an effective tax rise on US workers in a general election year.
After the Senate vote, Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters he wanted the new year to be turning point for Congress, as he named four Democratic senators to the joint conference committee.
"I hope this Congress has had a had very good learning experience, especially the newer members," Mr Reid said in a press conference.
"The American people need this institution to work effectively," he added.