Frustrated Obama takes over tax cut press conference

In a surprise appearance at a White House press briefing, President Barack Obama told reporters he was calling on Republicans from the House of Representatives to pass the Senate bill for a short-term payroll tax break.

The House rejected a bipartisan plan for an extension of the tax break, as Congress ends the year in yet another deadlock.

Without an agreement, payroll taxes will rise for 160 million workers from next month.