Speaker of the House John Boehner and President Obama spoke on the phone earlier today and both men seem pretty eager to get something accomplished re: the payroll tax cut. The Hill reports that Boehner reportedly told Obama, "Let’s get this done today,” while White House spokesman Jay Carney later said, "The ball is in the House's court. […] They should just get it done." AGREEMENT! Unfortunately, that's where the similarities stop. In reality, when each side says "get it done" it's really just DC-FU code for, "just do what I say ASAP, mmkay?"
But so far, neither man seems to be budging, as Carney told reporters that he "[doesn't] have any scheduling updates," regarding Obama's travel plans, so Christmas in Hawaii is currently being ruined and an aide to Speaker Boehner is quoted as saying:
“The Speaker told the president […] that we should not waste the next ten days simply because it is an inconvenient time of year.”
Family, stuffing our faces, getting soused, God's son being born, all that crap, it's all needs to start taking a back seat starting now, Congressional members. Your leaders have spoken.
Obama calls Boehner, urges him to allow vote on Senate payroll bill [The Hill]