House Republicans are under increasing pressure to drop their opposition to a bipartisan Senate measure that would extend a payroll tax cut set to expire at year’s end. Led by House Speaker John Boehner, Republicans have insisted on linking the tax cut to a number of unrelated proposals, including backing for the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada. In an editorial, the right-wing Wall Street Journal urged Republicans to drop their stance, calling it a “fiasco.” In a Twitter message, Republican Senator John McCain concurred, while anonymous Republican aides have been quoted in the media issuing similar criticisms. At the White House, Press Secretary Jay Carney said the Senate proposal remains the only solution on the table.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney: “The President made clear in his call to Speaker Boehner earlier today, as I made clear in the readout, that the action that must be taken is the House needs to take up the Senate bill, that was supported by an overwhelming percentage of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, and pass it to make sure that taxes don’t go up. The short-term bipartisan compromise, passed by almost the entire Senate, is the only option to ensure that middle-class families are not hit with a tax hike in 10 days, and gives both sides the time needed to work out a full year’s solution.”