Washington (CNN) -- At the end of another long and confusing day of political wrangling over extending the payroll tax cut, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi asked a question on everybody's mind. "The public has to be concerned and wondering why on Earth are we not getting a payroll tax cut when everybody says they're for it?" Pelosi, D-California, said at a news conference Tuesday. The answer involves the usual suspects of partisan divide in Congress and the politics of a coming election year. This time, though, there is another factor: disarray among congressional Republicans that has led to a public rift between GOP members of the House and Senate.
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House Republicans criticize Senate payroll tax plan negotiated by GOP leaders
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Some senators call on the GOP-led House to pass the Senate proposal
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Gergen: Republicans have been outmaneuvered
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Sen. McCain says the impasse is hurting the Republican Party
"It is harming the Republican Party," @placeholder said of the continuing impasse.