The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
February 15, 2012

Congress Reaches Tentative Deal on Payroll Tax Cut 
---------------------------------------------------



Congressional leaders have reached a tentative compromise to extend the
payroll tax cut through the end of 2012, saving families who make
$50,000 a year an estimated $1,000 annually. The plan would also stop
benefits for the long-term unemployed from expiring next month, as well
as blocking a cut in reimbursements to doctors who accept Medicare.
Republicans dropped several controversial provisions, including one that
required jobless people to pursue high school equivalency degrees in
order to receive aid.