We speak to Diane Swonk about weekly jobless numbers, the payroll tax debate in Washington, and why politics effects economics more than ever.

We speak to Frank Newport, editor-in-chief at Gallup, about whether Americans want the payroll tax extended, and what the controversy in Washington could do to consumer confidence.

At the urging of President Obama and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the GOP-led House say they will pass a two-month payroll tax cut extension.

If Congress fails to extend a payroll tax cut, federal jobless benefits will stop too.

No deal in Congress would mean that the payroll tax would rise by 2 percent, and unemployment benefits would be drastically cut.

We hear from one member of the U.S. House as to why he did not vote for the two month payroll tax cut extension.

We hear more from Republican Congressman Bob Gibbs on why he decided to not vote for the two month payroll tax extension that was passed in the Senate.

As Congress continues to debate over the payroll tax cut extension, we ask small business owners about how the decision might affect them.

Some New Yorkers told Marketplace they don't know what the payroll tax cut is, how much money it put in their pockets, or whether they spent it.