Eric Cantor talks payroll tax holiday

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This week congress passed a bill and surprisingly bipartisan fashion to extend the payroll tax -- and unemployment benefits.

But in this election year was that legislative breakthrough as good as it gaps for 2012.

Joining us now to discuss what more if anything will get done on Capitol Hill is Republican House majority later Eric Cantor and congressman.

Welcome back to FOX News Sunday.

Chris good to be here let's start with the latest polls in a survey this week 50%.

Approve of the job the president is doing well 43% disapprove meanwhile.

Saint -- 10% approve of the job congress is doing while 82%.

Disapprove.

Has President Obama outmaneuvered congressional Republicans.

Well Chris first of -- thing no one is satisfied by the direction of the economy right now.

They wanna see more growth -- -- people wanna see more job opportunities.

And I think it's -- frustration.

That sort of focused on.

On the fact that congress doesn't seem to be able to.

Get enough done as far as what people are expecting.

And I think it's that frustration that underlies these kind of poll numbers.

And if you look to see what it is that we've been trying to do.

We really came to this town a year ago in the new majority and said you know we -- to try and change the way Washington works.

Much of the discussion has been around taxes and spending.

I think most Americans get we we spent too much money in this town and we're trying to get a handle on that but every time we even ask.

Harry Reid to the president to go along with -- us.

You know -- -- -- the senate democratic majority right every time wanna cut it Don -- spending we are rejected because they don't want to cut spending.

And every time we advance a pro growth type measure.

You know there -- some excuse us a lot of senate can't take it up.

So again I I don't blame the American people for the frustration we are trying to go and find those opportunities for us to work ago.

Okay we talked about the back on Friday the house pass this extension of the payroll tax cut that so many of here.

Opposed.

Just a couple of months ago in December.

You don't pay distilled out in the bill that you had -- still don't pay the 93 billion dollar cost of extending the payroll tax cut your Paper.

Some of the other relevancy just -- the 93 billion to the deficit.

A lot of give numbers doubt that it will help the economy and also note the fact that it takes money away from the Social Security trust fund.

Didn't you -- To the president because basically he's got the political Agra.

Vote for first or Chris I don't think we're ever the party that wants to see taxes going up when anybody.

And at the end of the day the Republican caucus oppose this measure in December -- we supported a yearlong extension of the payroll tax holiday to make sure that people would not have their taxes raise.

When they're out there trying to make it through the month.

What we would like to have seen is we would like to have seen it done in a way that we could actually reduce spending.

While the same time affording this time actually but you -- get anybody of any 100 million dollar and again every time weeks tried to advance that.

Harry -- in the senate and the president they just want my politics a -- -- to a great well again at the end of the day I don't think it's a good idea to allow taxes to go up on working people basically payroll tax says we're gonna increase taxes on everybody does the job I don't think that that's what we need to do -- are looking forward just before New Year's a White House spokesman said.

This about the president's relationship with congress -- 2012 take a look in terms of essential must do -- on this.

The payroll tax cut extension.

Is the last one.

Congressman you've done legislating from 2012 you know I'm I'm just wanted to hear the White House -- That because I do think there's a window of opportunity.

For us to get something done and if we can take advantage of the need for growth in this economy.

We could all work together and there's two things that we're going to be taking up.

Within the next several weeks that I think all of us can agree on.

A -- is a bill that we're calling the jobs act it's called jumpstart our business startups.

Which essentially is going to be a package of measures that has a lot of bipartisan support.

These are things that the president his jobs council advocated Steve case of former AOL.

Chairman and founder.

Participated oversaw the reality about it well what what it does -- speaks to small business growth and it says we have to afford access.

Four more financing for small businesses we need to address the regulatory burden that small businesses are facing so we -- -- -- start up again.

I mean Chris the truth is over the last three years there's been 23% decline and small business startups.

Which is indicative when you look at the job growth numbers we know small business is the job growth engine in this country.

This package represents the first opportunity for us post the payroll tax holiday.

Extension for us to work together a bipartisan manner get something done you're also talking about 820%.

-- in the small business taxes that that's the that's the next measure -- I'm hopeful we can get some bipartisan agreement on.

Will be bringing forward a bill that provides a 20% tax cut for small businesses.

Again knowing full well -- small businesses create more than 60% of jobs in this country.

But it -- does that mean for instance because I know when when they talk about raising taxes on individuals you say well that's a lot of small businessman.

Does that mean that those small businessmen who file individual taxes would get -- 20% cut in their taxes -- we know that overwhelmingly.

The we want to help the small businesses as the found about a Small Business Administration.

That's 500 employees or less.

Those Kennedys will be allowed for 20% tax cut -- the bottom line.

And that's what we wanna do is make it easier for these small businesses to start -- doesn't mean a lot of folks are making over 250000.

Dollars a year gonna get a tax cut you know Chris you know that that suggestion is somehow there.

We shouldn't be you shouldn't I shouldn't be going home in my district Richmond Virginia and -- a small business person.

That I can help by providing a tax cut for announcement grow their business and hire more people.

Just because maybe someone else benefit.

At the end of the day we are all in this together we have got to as a country work towards growth in this economy and regain the kind of optimism that America's.

But there are some deep philosophical differences and I want to show you a couple of surveys on this wood which speak to the session take a look at this.

When half should taxes be increase on millionaires with them would include some of these small businessman.

To lower the deficit 67%.

Say yes increase the tax of 29% -- out in another Paul.

80% do not believe that do not only that Medicare should be cocked her to reduce the deficit I -- aren't they basically disagreeing with -- an awful lot of the Republican agenda and it's.

I think Chris underneath that question is somehow.

That we don't care about the people were out there working paycheck to paycheck trying to make him.

And somehow it's unfair what I would say it is unfair.

That these individuals who want a better life who want more jobs and higher -- -- not getting it that's what's unfair.

And the fundamental nature of America is an aspiration whole country that everybody ought to have a fair shot.

And what's not fair is that were holding back the ability for this economy to grow.

Because you have Barack Obama in this town working with the Democrats in the senate Harry Reid and others.

Who were just saying no to every time we want to try.

And grow the economy put in place measures that speak to the entrepreneurial nature of this country.

Every time we wanna try and get the fiscal house in order straight in Washington -- -- -- but so let lets you know again I think that a lot of these issues.

Can be played on the election but there are there is a window of opportunity for -- work -- right now let's to a lightning round quick questions quick answers.

I'll keep my questions and show art.

Is the president's budget that he submitted this week debt.

The president's budget is really something that's not serious and we are not going to pass a budget that racks up another 1000000000300.

Billion dollars in debt without any attempt.

To -- and address the real problems here cutting spending.

Dealing with entitlements or growth will serious deficit reduction serious tax reform have to wait until a lame duck session.

After the election.

We are going to continue to be engaged in discussions on our side we have consistently led on this -- the president has ends up to the president heard and read they want to join us.

Will the house passed a measure.

To block the president's revised rule on birth control for religious institutions.

This is a question of religious freedom.

And you know what I don't think that Barack Obama and his administration know more about the Catholic faith.

In the Catholic Church does.

And we're gonna do everything we can to restore the religious freedom.

Of this country for two over 200 years it's been working why all of a sudden do we need this will the house cut off military aid.

To Egypt.

If they refuse to stop their crackdown on pro democracy American activist.

I'm I just returned from the gulf -- and talked to a lot of the Arab and Arab nations and governments there.

They're very concerned about what they see going on in Egypt I'm concerned about the signaled that this administration is sending.

I think we need to get tough.

And and speak out as leaders as America is globally we think are you talking about cutting I am -- billion dollars -- -- I'm talking about the very very real prospect that if Egypt.

Does not demonstrate that it sees things in the way that we do in terms the promotion of freedom.

Human progress in the protection of minority rights that there will be repercussions on Capitol Hill is no question about it coming off.

There is certainly not discuss in his -- Chris -- Americans -- right now because.

Will have to get into the details of what the commitments of the Egyptian government's going to be.

But let's not mistake the fact that you've got a very radical shift in Egypt right now going on in terms of -- government that could be.

Maybe not as friendly to US centrist democratic congresswoman Maxine Waters.

Had some choice words for you this week take a look.

I'm solve the edges a Boehner and -- On our screens they -- they -- news.

Let just -- -- it's like this dying this country.

So much for civility.

Your reaction and again those kind of words obviously are not very helpful but what I could tell you congress is.

That's evidence again anytime that we try and put forward pro growth measures or measures to try and get the budget under control.

That's what happens.

Individuals and Elvis I'd just take off in a personal attack has nothing to do with the debate -- just -- -- politics finally got thirty seconds left are you worried that.

The Republican presidential candidates are so negative.

Are bashing each other so much that they are weakening the entire field.

And making it easier for Barack Obama to win re election.

You know Chris I think that the debate on going and our primary is really one.

Much of a debate vs Barack Obama it's about our vision and who can best.

Translate articulate Arab vision of the direction this country vs Brock hopefully not troubled by that negativity -- against each other now and you know like Chris.

You know it's still February.

If you look to see where the Democrats were in their primary no wait.

You know Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were -- it.

-- religion and so this is the nature of our system I believe we ought to be sticking to substance and the policy difference we have this prize.

Congressman -- -- -- -- thank you for coming in it's always a pleasure to talk with cancer.

Thank -- Chris.

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