Issa Absent, Tax Cut Extension Passes

Congress passed a bill that will extend a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits while Temecula's representative was absent.

Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Vista), who represents Temecula residents, was absent today when the measure was approved.

He voted no to the extension -- which will benefit 160 million workers -- when it came to the House earlier this week. To read about his vote, .

The two-month extension by the Senate and House came with no objections today, just days after House Republican leaders had insisted on an all-or-nothing year-long plan.

A full-year extension of the tax cut was supported by nearly every House and Senate lawmaker, but the embrace came unglued over demands in an original Dec. 13 bill offered by House Republicans.

Senate leaders of both parties offered amendments to the legislation days later in the form of the two-month extension, which they said would buy time for Americans while giving Washington breathing room to iron out a long-term plan.

With high unemployment and many Americans struggling to make ends meet, political damage caused by insistence on adhering to an all-or-nothing plan was apparently too great for the GOP.

The last-minute cave by Republicans became obvious yesterday, and today’s vote was a legal formality, albeit just a few legislators were actually on hand for it.

Issa’s office offered no comment on today’s vote and said the congressman was not expected to release a statement on the legislation, which has now been signed by the President.