Obama Phones Boehner And Reid

The following is a readout from the White House regarding separate conversations President Obama had this afternoon with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.):

“Today, the President made separate calls to Speaker Boehner and Leader Reid.  In his call to Speaker Boehner, the President reiterated the need and his commitment to work with Congress to extend the payroll tax cut for the entire year, and the fact that the short-term bipartisan compromise passed by almost the entire Senate is the only option to ensure that middle class families aren’t hit with a tax hike in 10 days and gives both sides the time needed to work out a full year solution. The President urged the Speaker to take up the bipartisan compromise passed in the Senate with overwhelming Democratic and Republican support that would prevent 160 million working Americans from being hit with a holiday tax hike on January 1st.”

“The President also spoke with Leader Reid and again applauded him for the work he conducted with Minority Leader McConnell to achieve a successful bipartisan compromise that passed overwhelmingly in the Senate on Saturday, and Senator Reid reaffirmed his commitment to secure a bipartisan year long tax cut after the House passes the two month extension. The President urged the Speaker to allow a vote on the one compromise that Democrats and Republicans passed together to give the American people the assurance they need during this holiday season that they won’t see a significant tax hike in just 10 days.”

White House Calls On Syria's Assad To Step Down

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney released the following statement in response to reports that the Syrian government continues to wage violence against its own people:

“The United States continues to believe that the only way to bring about the change that the Syrian people deserve is for Bashar al-Assad to leave power.  The words of the Assad regime have no credibility when they continue to be followed by outrageous and deplorable actions.  Only two days following the Assad regime’s decision to sign the Arab League initiative, they have already flagrantly violated their commitment to end violence and withdraw security forces from residential areas.  The United States is deeply disturbed by credible reports that the Assad regime continues to indiscriminately kill scores of civilians and army defectors, while destroying homes and shops and arresting protesters without due process.  While Syrian security forces have also taken casualties, the overwhelming majority of the violence and loss of life in Syria stems from the actions of the Assad regime, and we call on all parties to put an end to violence.”

“Time and again, the Assad regime has demonstrated that it does not deserve to rule Syria.  It’s time for this suffering and killing to stop. It’s time for the immediate and full implementation of all terms of the Arab League agreement, including the full withdrawal of security forces, the release of political prisoners, and unfettered access by monitors and international media to all parts of Syria.  It’s time for the Syrian people to have the universal rights that they deserve.  The Assad regime is already facing growing isolation and sanctions that are choking off its resources.  We urge Syria’s few remaining supporters in the international community to warn Damascus that if the Arab League initiative is once again not fully implemented, the international community will take additional steps to pressure the Assad regime to stop its crackdown.  Bashar al-Assad should have no doubt that the world is watching, and neither the international community nor the Syrian people accept his legitimacy.”

White House Shrugs Off Complaint From Payroll Group

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday that President Obama isn’t worried about potential issues stemming from how to implement a short-term payroll tax cut extension.

In a letter this week to both the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, the National Payroll Reporting Consortium, an independent payroll processing trade organization, said it might not be possible to make a two-month continuation of the two percent tax cut work.

“With the first of January now only two weeks away and payroll departments trying to meet year-end compliance mandates and reconciliation, there simply is insufficient time to implement this major change in withholding requirements,” wrote NPRC President Pete Isberg.

When asked about the letter during today’s briefing, Carney acknowledged the group’s concern, but said that Obama “is committed to asking his administration to work with American businesses to overcome whatever complications this might cause.”

“He’d rather do that…then ask Americans to spend the holidays worrying about how they’re gonna deal with $1,000 less next year,” Carney added.

Obama Sends Hanukkah Message

President Barack Obama issued the following statement Tuesday marking the start of Hanukkah:

“Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world. 

This Hanukkah season we remember the powerful story of a band of believers who rose up and freed their people, only to discover that the oil left in their desecrated temple – which should have been enough for only one night – ended up lasting for eight.

It’s a timeless story of right over might and faith over doubt – one that has given hope to Jewish people everywhere for over 2,000 years.  And tonight, as families and friends come together to light the menorah, it is a story that reminds us to count our blessings, to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors, and to believe that through faith and determination, we can work together to build a brighter, better world for generations to come.

From our family to the Jewish Community around the world, Chag Sameach.”

Washington Reacts To Kim Jong Il's Death

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney released the following statement in response to news reports that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il died over the weekend:

“We are closely monitoring reports that Kim Jong Il is dead. The President has been notified, and we are in close touch with our allies in South Korea and Japan. We remain committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies.”

The White House also announced that President Obama had phoned his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-Bak, to discuss the news:

“At midnight tonight, President Obama spoke with Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula following the death of Kim Jong Il. The President reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the security of our close ally, the Republic of Korea. The two leaders agreed to stay in close touch as the situation develops and agreed they would direct their national security teams to continue close coordination.”