Reid to Boehner: Bring House back into session

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic leader of the Senate is urging Speaker John Boehner to bring the House back to Washington and approve the bipartisan Senate-approved bill extending a payroll tax cut and jobless benefits.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has written a letter to Boehner saying he is willing to negotiate on a yearlong extension of the tax cut and unemployment coverage. But Reid says first, the House should approve the Senate-passed two-month extension.

The letter is the latest salvo between the two chambers. Without congressional action, the payroll tax paid by 160 million workers and jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed will end on Jan. 1.

House Republicans have demanded that House and Senate bargainers meet to work toward a compromise. Most lawmakers have left town for the holidays.

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