--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that for the next short period of…" description: "\"I think that for the next short period of time, our No. 1 priority is Congress needs to do its work and extend the payroll tax cut.\" — Jacob Lew" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a8/jacob-lew-33350_congress_i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-o_1362724.png" --- # I think that for the next short period of time, our No. 1… ![“I think that for the next short period of time, our No. 1 priority is Congress needs to do its work and extend the payroll tax cut.” quote by Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a8/jacob-lew-33350_congress_i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-o_1362724.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a8/jacob-lew-33350_congress_i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-o_1362724.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a8/jacob-lew-33350_congress_i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-o_1362724.png) > “I think that for the next short period of time, our No. 1 priority is Congress needs to do its work and extend the payroll tax cut.” [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The immediate priority is to ensure Congress passes the payroll tax cut extension to support the economy. **In simple terms:** Focus on extending payroll tax cut. Key Takeaway Support tax cut extension. Themes economy policy taxes legislation priority Mood pragmatic urgent Type policy political When to use this quote - budget planning - policy debate - tax filing season Key Concepts fiscal policy government action economic stimulus Questions to Reflect On - How can bipartisan support be built? - What are the risks of not extending the cut? A Different Perspective Political opposition may block the measure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Payroll tax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/payroll-tax/) [Priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities/) [Tax cut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tax-cut/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [The challenge for any government is how do you do two things at the same time. How do you put money forward for things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/the-challenge-for-any-government-is-how-do-you-do-two-things-at-the/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [Make no mistake, if the payroll-tax cut is extended, it will become permanent. Social Security will become another welfare program as the tie between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/make-no-mistake-if-the-payroll-tax-cut-is-extended-it-will-become/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [So lets agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-lets-agree-right-here-right-now-no-side-issues-no-drama-pass-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I would give relief from the first $10,000 of the payroll tax. I would allow small businesses to accelerate depreciation so they would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-graham/i-would-give-relief-from-the-first-10-000-of-the-payroll-tax-i-would/) [Bob Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-graham/) > [I'm all for lifting the payroll-tax cap, if only to make payroll taxes a little less regressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-noah/i-m-all-for-lifting-the-payroll-tax-cap-if-only-to-make-payroll-taxes/) [Timothy Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-noah/) > [The marginal tax rate for high income earners is going up. Small businesses are no longer enjoying some of the exemption from payroll tax.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-alexander/the-marginal-tax-rate-for-high-income-earners-is-going-up-small/) [Chris Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-alexander/) > [The woman that comes in, takes the wastebasket away, she's paying 15.3 or whatever it is on payroll tax alone. I mean it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-woman-that-comes-in-takes-the-wastebasket-away-she-s-paying-15-3/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [If we do nothing, we are handing our children a ticking time bomb that will require they pay ever greater payroll taxes just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/if-we-do-nothing-we-are-handing-our-children-a-ticking-time-bomb-that/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Ive never supported a payroll tax.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-dewhurst/ive-never-supported-a-payroll-tax/) [David Dewhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-dewhurst/) > [I have always maintained that if a program is to be successful, it must... be voluntary... based on need and must not be financed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thruston-ballard-morton/i-have-always-maintained-that-if-a-program-is-to-be-successful-it/) Thruston Ballard Morton > [Social Security is a widely popular program because the individual has been deceived by the Statist to believe that the government has been prudently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-levin/social-security-is-a-widely-popular-program-because-the-individual/) [Mark Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-levin/) > [ Did folks know that the tax to fund the program \[Social Security\] only hits salaries up to $110,000? That means that if you make… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-bernstein/did-folks-know-that-the-tax-to-fund-the-program-social-security-only/) [Jared Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-bernstein/) > [If you look at the Forbes 400, they are paying a lower rate, accounting payroll taxes, than their secretary or - whomever around their office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/if-you-look-at-the-forbes-400-they-are-paying-a-lower-rate-accounting/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [Republicans want to punish work and reward wealth; hence the high payroll tax and the low dividend tax. Said one Bush economic adviser, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-begala/republicans-want-to-punish-work-and-reward-wealth-hence-the-high/) [Paul Begala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-begala/) > [I am not a great fan of the payroll tax holiday because I'm nervous about what it does to the future of Social Security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/i-am-not-a-great-fan-of-the-payroll-tax-holiday-because-i-m-nervous/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) ## More by Jacob Lew > [Historically, the responsibility for voting on the debt limit has gone to the party in the majority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/historically-the-responsibility-for-voting-on-the-debt-limit-has-gone/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [The most critical thing in a negotiation is to get inside your opponent's head and figure out what he really wants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/the-most-critical-thing-in-a-negotiation-is-to-get-inside-your/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [Every president since George Washington has taken executive privilege seriously. Every Republican president has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/every-president-since-george-washington-has-taken-executive-privilege/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [The challenge for any government is how do you do two things at the same time. How do you put money forward for things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/the-challenge-for-any-government-is-how-do-you-do-two-things-at-the/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [I can't speak to the differences within the Catholic Church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/i-can-t-speak-to-the-differences-within-the-catholic-church/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [If you have a student who graduates from college and they don't have a job, they are now able to stay on their family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/if-you-have-a-student-who-graduates-from-college-and-they-don-t-have/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [Most Americans want health insurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/most-americans-want-health-insurance/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [Europe is trying to get its fiscal house in order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/europe-is-trying-to-get-its-fiscal-house-in-order/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [I think there is a shared sense of urgency in Washington on fiscal issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/i-think-there-is-a-shared-sense-of-urgency-in-washington-on-fiscal/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [If you don't define the problem you'll never reach a painful solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/if-you-don-t-define-the-problem-you-ll-never-reach-a-painful-solution/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [Raising the debt limit on some levels is a ministerial act. It doesn't involve any new spending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/raising-the-debt-limit-on-some-levels-is-a-ministerial-act-it-doesn-t/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [ From the very beginning the president \[of USA\] had two very important principles that had to be reconciled. One principle is that every woman… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/from-the-very-beginning-the-president-of-usa-had-two-very-important/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [If you look at the cost of providing health insurance, it actually doesn't cost more to provide a plan with contraceptive coverage than it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/if-you-look-at-the-cost-of-providing-health-insurance-it-actually/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) > [The issue of providing women all forms of preventative health care has been and remains very important. The, the importance of protecting religious liberties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/the-issue-of-providing-women-all-forms-of-preventative-health-care/) [Jacob Lew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) [Explore all 15 Jacob Lew quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/) ## More Congress quotes > [Well, my wife, Cathy Gillespie, worked for Joe Barton, who was running for Congress in 1984.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-gillespie/well-my-wife-cathy-gillespie-worked-for-joe-barton-who-was-running/) [Ed Gillespie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-gillespie/) > [We will make sure our troops have all that is necessary to complete their missions. That's why I went to the Congress last September…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-will-make-sure-our-troops-have-all-that-is-necessary-to-complete/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. 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It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/united-states-congress/congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting-an-establishment-of-religion-or/) United States Congress > [As the longest serving Independent in the history of the United States Congress, as somebody who came into office by defeating an incumbent Democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/as-the-longest-serving-independent-in-the-history-of-the-united/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [As the first Member of Congress from western Washington to serve on the House Agriculture Committee in over 50 years, I am proud to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-larsen/as-the-first-member-of-congress-from-western-washington-to-serve-on/) [Rick Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-larsen/) > [About one-half of the members of Congress are seekers for office at the nomination of the President. Of the remainder, at least one-half have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/about-one-half-of-the-members-of-congress-are-seekers-for-office-at/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [My younger self could not imagine standing on the floor of Congress as a member of Congress voting on legislation that, if enacted, would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritchie-torres/my-younger-self-could-not-imagine-standing-on-the-floor-of-congress/) [Ritchie Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritchie-torres/) > [Rahul Gandhi cannot be a prime minister because he is a citizen of Britain, and his Indian citizenship will be cancelled; he won't even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subramanian-swamy/rahul-gandhi-cannot-be-a-prime-minister-because-he-is-a-citizen-of/) [Subramanian Swamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subramanian-swamy/) > [We need less travelling by jet plaes from congress to congress... but more kneeling and praying and pleading to God to have mercy on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn-lloyd-jones/we-need-less-travelling-by-jet-plaes-from-congress-to-congress-but/) [Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn-lloyd-jones/) > [Well I think that what we're seeing now is that the people feel like they, the people in Congress don't have their consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/well-i-think-that-what-we-re-seeing-now-is-that-the-people-feel-like/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) [Browse all 3,400 Congress quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think that for the next short period of time, our No. 1 priority is Congress needs to do its work and extend the payroll tax cut.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jacob Lew" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-of-time-our-no-1-priority-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Congress" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-of-time-our-no-1-priority-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a8/jacob-lew-33350_congress_i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-o_1362724.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a8/jacob-lew-33350_congress_i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-o_1362724.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a8/jacob-lew-33350_congress_i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-o_1362724.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think that for the next short period of time, our No. 1 priority is Congress needs to do its work and…” — Jacob Lew", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jacob Lew", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-lew/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think that for the next...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-of-time-our-no-1-priority-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-lew/i-think-that-for-the-next-short-period-of-time-our-no-1-priority-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```