Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) (left), and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) answer reporters questions. House Democratic leaders hold a press conference about the Republican controlled House’s inability to pass the Social Security payroll tax extension, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on December 22, 2011. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) (left), and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) answer reporters questions. House Democratic leaders hold a press conference about the Republican controlled House’s inability to pass the Social Security payroll tax extension, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on December 22, 2011. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) (left) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) answer reporters questions. House Democratic leaders hold a press conference about the Republican controlled House’s inability to pass the Social Security payroll tax extension, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on December 22, 2011. (Photo by Jeff Malet)