On Newsmakers, freshman Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) spoke about his opposition to an extension of the payroll tax cut. "The legislation undermines social security," he said.
The payroll tax funds Social Security and the loss would be paid back over the next ten years.
Senator Kirk denied the charges by Democrats that he would be raising taxes because it was a "temporary gimmick," he said. Congress reduced the payroll tax for one year from 6.2% to 4.2%. It is set to expire at the end of the year but Democrats and some Republicans want to extend it and expand it to 3.1%, but Senator Kirk is among the opposition.
"The Republican conference is divided," he said.
Senator Kirk said he would consider supporting an extension of the payroll tax cut if a measure to build the Keystone XL Pipeline was included, like the House Republicans proposed. "We'll see," he said.
Newsmakers airs Sunday at 10:00 am ET and again at 6:00 pm ET on C‑SPAN.