Obama to Boehner: I Want 1-Year Payroll Tax Deal

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama assured the top Republican in the U.S. House Thursday that he would seek a one-year extension of a payroll tax cut, once Republicans agree in the meantime to a two-month extension, the White House said.

"The President told Speaker (John) Boehner that he is committed to begin working immediately on a full-year agreement once the House passes the bipartisan Senate compromise that prevents a tax hike on 160 million Americans on January 1," the White House said in a readout of a telephone call Boehner made Obama.