Senate Democratic bid on payroll bill blocked

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/14/us-usa-taxes-idUSTRE7B827K20111214

Republicans in the Senate blocked a Democratic bid on Wednesday to quickly reject a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would renew a payroll tax cut and speed up a decision on an oil pipeline that the White House has delayed.

Democrats are worried that once the spending bill is finalized, Republicans will leave town for the holidays, eliminating any pressure on them to compromise on the payroll measure, which would also extend expiring jobless benefits.