Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, says the extension of the payroll tax cut is still in the works. “The always difficult parts of putting a deal together are the component parts,” Braley says.

“It sounds like there is an agreement on the payroll tax extension itself. The remaining portions have to do with what’s going on with the extension of unemployment insurance benefits, and…the sustainable growth rate.” Braley says there is positive momentum because the Republican leadership in the House has agreed to let the payroll extension go through with no strings attached.

“What we’re waiting for is the conference committee which was tasked with no just dealing with the payroll tax extension, but also these other key provisions. And whether that comes to us in the House as a package deal or a stand alone, those are the details we are still waiting to have resolved. Braley made his comments in a conference call with reporters.