House Speaker John Boehner predicted today that the Republican-run House will vote down a White House-Senate deal to extend the payroll tax cut for two months, saying Congress should approve a year-long extension instead.  A two-month extension "causes uncertainty for job creators," Boehner told reporters, adding that House and Senate lawmakers should sit down and "do our work."  The House is expected to vote later tonight.  The Senate, however, has left town, and it's not certain members would return to work on a revised payroll tax agreement. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said he has no plans to re-open negotiations on the two-month tax cut extension that the Senate approved Saturday with 89 out of 100 votes.  All of which means the payroll tax cut dispute could stretch past Christmas and into the new year -- when the 2011 cut expires, and Americans face a hike on their payroll taxes.  "If House Republicans refuse to pass this bipartisan bill to extend the payroll tax cut, there will be a significant tax increase on 160 million hardworking Americans in 13 days that would damage the economy and job growth," said White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer.  The Senate bill also includes an extension of unemployment benefits.  Democrats called the two-month extension a stop-gap, and that they will work with Republicans on a year-long extension after lawmakers return to work in January.  "The two-month extension is the only way to get a year extension," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., speaking today on MSNBC.  Boehner and his aides also point out that Obama backs a year-long extension of the payroll tax cut, and that's what they are trying to do.  "I don't believe the differences between the House and Senate are that great," Boehner said.  Shortly after the Senate vote on Saturday, Obama said:  "While this agreement is for two months, it is my expectation -- in fact it would be inexcusable for Congress not to further extend this middle-class tax cut for the rest of the year. It should be a formality. And hopefully it's done with as little drama as possible when they get back in January."  If the House does reject the Senate plan later today, there will be some good news for Obama. The bill includes a provision requiring the president to issue a permit for a controversial oil pipeline, or explain why it is not in the national interest.  While Republicans cast the Keystone XL oil pipeline as a jobs and energy program, Obama says the project requires more environmental study.
Just when it looked like President Obama and Congress would get out of town for the holiday recess ...