U.S. Senate Majority Leader Reid pauses during his news conference on the payroll tax cut extension in Washington

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) pauses during his news conference on the payroll tax cut extension on Capitol Hill in Washington December 23, 2011. The U.S. Congress approved a two-month payroll tax cut extension on Friday, capping an exhausting year of partisan warfare over taxes and spending that will resume in January, with the economy barely scratching out a recovery and elections on the horizon. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)