all right. before we go to break, explain to me why payroll tax cut extension wouldn't be good for the middle class at this point. can republicans and democrats agree on that without any string attached? shouldn't that be possible at this point? >> yeah, it should be. >> i wanted to settle that. we were having a little -- >> throw in a pipeline. >> no, the pipeline thing -- the republicans. >> it's my way or the highway. >> no, joe. >> if you don't agree to the president's approach. >> if they attach the pipeline bill to this payroll tax cut extension, then they'd have to go through a 30-day review with the department there and it would die, so they're killing it. >> so if i were in the house of representatives right now. >> you cannot agree on a payroll tax cut for middle class? >> no, i can't. if i were in the house of representatives right now with a $15 trillion debt and i looked