The battle over payroll tax cuts in Washington (17 images)

President Barack Obama leaves after making a surprise appearance at the daily press briefing to urge the House of Representatives to pass the extension of the payroll tax cut before it expires, at the White House in Washington on December 20, 2011. The Senate had passed a two-month extension of the cut, but House republicans have refused to pass it and sent the bill back to conference. UPI/Kristoffer Tripplaar/Pool

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) walks back to his office after voting on the House floor in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on December 20, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds up a copy of the House version of the Senat's payroll tax cut extension bill during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on December 20, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

House Assistant Minority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) speaks on the payroll tax cut extension on Capitol Hill in Washington on December 20, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch