WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says President Barack Obama would veto a Republican bill renewing a payroll tax cut next year, complaining that the legislation forces middle-class families to pay for the measure without asking the rich to contribute.
The threat came as the House began debating the bill, which would also extend long-term unemployment benefits and prevent a cut in Medicare payments to doctors. The GOP-led chamber was expected to approve the legislation later Tuesday.
Obama has previously objected to a provision in the bill forcing work on a proposed oil pipeline, which Obama wants to delay.
The White House threat came in a letter that accuses Republicans of playing politics and wrapping ideological issues into the dispute. Republicans say the measure would create jobs.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)