With Thanksgiving twist, Obama prods lawmakers on payroll tax cut

President Obama was in a holiday mood on Tuesday, urging members of Congress not to “be a Grinch” by refusing to continue tax cuts that mean $1,000 a year for the average family.

The payroll tax cuts are set to expire at the end of the year, but Democrats plan to bring the president’s proposal for another vote next week.

“In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are going to give them another chance,” Obama told a crowd in Manchester, N.H.

Lawmakers are heading home this week for the Thanksgiving break but Obama hit the campaign trail Tuesday, portraying the GOP refusal to extend the payroll tax cuts as the same as actively voting to raise taxes.

“Next week they are going to get to take a simple vote,’ Obama said. “If they vote ‘no’ again, the typical family’s taxes will go up $1,000 next year.”