Obama to quickly OK Senate-and-House-passed payroll plan

Congress gave final approval to payroll tax cut legislation Friday, also maintaining Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors and long-term unemployment benefits.

The bill had earlier passed the House, 293-132, facing opposition from Republicans and Democrats. In the Senate, it passed 60-36. President Obama is expected to sign the bill quickly.

After the vote, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said, “I am disappointed that it took this long for Republicans to agree to a full-year extension, but I am glad that we were finally able to get this done for the middle-class families and seniors who were counting on it.”