Obama thanks Congress for passing bill, says more work ahead

After thanking lawmakers for finally reaching agreement on a temporary extension of the payroll-tax cut, President Obama said there was more work to do in the new year. "When Congress returns I urge them to keep working, without drama, without delay, to reach an agreement that extends this tax cut as well as unemployment insurance through all of 2012," Obama said, speaking to reporters Friday. "This is some good news, just in the nick of time for the holidays," he said. On Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) bowed to pressure from Democrats and even Senate Republicans to drop his opposition to a short-term deal to extend the measures, as well as a 'doc fix' to prevent a financial blow to physicians who deal with Medicare. Obama spoke shortly before leaving to join his family in Hawaii for Christmas. "Aloha," he said, concluding his statement. He didn't take questions.