Congress Isn’t Interested in Discussing the Payroll Tax Cut Right Now

House Republicans on Tuesday declined to recognize a House Democrat who was trying to speak about the need for Congress to quickly resolve its differences about how to extend the payroll tax cut. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) gaveled today's pro forma session to order at about 2 p.m. After the House prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) sought to be recognized, but the session was gaveled to a close. Moran spoke for about four minutes on the House floor on the need to hold a conference on the bill, although none of it was captured by House gallery cameras or C-SPAN. Moran's effort is the second Democratic attempt in five days to speak on the floor about the need to hold a conference on the payroll tax bill. The efforts are essentially stunts meant to score political points against Republicans by calling attention to the light work schedule this month, which is typical of January. [The Hill]