KEY QUOTES: Republicans Didn't Like Payroll Tax Cut to Begin With

With just 10 days until the Dec. 31 expiration of the 2 percent payroll tax cut, House Republicans are threatening to impose a tax increase on 160 million Americans. Maybe it's because many House Republicans – including the most senior among them – didn't support extending the payroll tax cut in the first place:

House Speaker John Boehner:"Another little short-term gimmick"
Bloomberg News – June. 23

Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling: It doesn't work
CNN – June 16 ("GOP lawmakers say no to a payroll tax cut extension")

Majority Leader Eric Cantor, through spokesman:"All tax relief is not created equal"
New York Times – Aug. 25 ("For some in GOP, a tax cut not worth embracing")

Rep. Paul Ryan:"I don't think sugar-high economics works"
The Hill – June 16

Rep. Jeff Flake: "I'm for ending it"
New York Times – Nov. 30

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