Turner: Call Senate Back For Tax Cut Vote

has weighed in on a payroll tax fight that has exploded over the last few days in Washington, D.C.

The House of Representatives and the Senate are in a deadlock over an extension of the federal payroll tax, with the Senate pushing a temporary two-month continuance of the tax cut and the House refusing to settle for less than a year’s extension.

Turner issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon, demanding that the Senate return to session to find a way to extend the tax cut for a full year.

“I believe that the leaders in the Senate should do what is right for the American people and call their members back to Washington so these matters can be addressed through a conference committee,” Turner said. “The senate has a bill in front of them that would extend the payroll tax cut for a year, not just two months.”

According to Bloomberg news, President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), have been at each other’s throats for much of the day, with Obama urging Boehner to pass the temporary tax cut now and work out a further extension later.

Boehner and his caucus, Turner included, have said that they aren’t interested in dealing in half-measures and want the year extension before Dec. 31, when the entire tax cut package is set to expire.

“We need a long-term solution, not another stopgap measure. We cannot get this done without cooperation from the Senate,” Turner said. “The Senate bill creates the possibility of a February tax hike, which is unacceptable.”