The Hill News

Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.) announced Monday evening that he would defect from House leadership and support the two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits passed in the Senate this weekend.

Gibson is the first Republican to publicly voice support for the package. Democrats would need about two dozen GOP members â€" and party unanimity â€" to pass the bill.

“As the President and leaders of both parties in the House and Senate have previously stated, we need an agreement to extend the payroll tax for at least a year,” the freshman lawmaker said to Capitol Confidential. “[…] I was disappointed that the Senate chose a 60 day measure instead. We should immediately vote to go to conference wi! th the Senate to reach an agreement that achieves the yearlong goal which everyone desires. As we pursue that, I also plan to support the two-month stopgap to ensure our constituents do not face a tax increase.”

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