President Obama challenged congressional Republicans Monday to support the extension of the payroll tax cut, arguing that Congress would increase the taxes of 160 million Americans and place a $1,000 burden on the average family if they let the cuts expire.   

A widescreen clock noting the days, hours, minutes, and seconds before the tax cuts' expiration stood behind the president as he made the announcement at the White House. The clock also hung on top of the White House’s website, sporting a banner that read: “If Congress Doesn’t Act, Middle Class Taxes Increase In...”

Obama’s announcement was met with disagreement and skepticism from Republicans who questioned how the President would pay for the extension. As USA Today notes:

Congressional Republicans said they want to extend the payroll tax cuts but also want to avoid an increase in the budget deficit. House Republicans protest a Senate Democratic plan to finance the payroll tax cut extension with a tax surcharge on millionaires.

"If the president wants to make progress, he should insist that Senate Democrats remove the job-killing small-business tax hike from their partisan proposal," said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

At the White House, Obama said the GOP normally opposes tax hikes. "How can you fight tooth and nail to protect high-end tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and yet barely lift a finger to prevent taxes going up for 160 million Americans who really need the help?" he asked.

Many commentators see Obama’s deadline as an indication that the President will direct his efforts towards the issue before year’s end. As the New York Times reports:

The White House has clearly decided that this will be a week in which the president will try to remain on the offensive on the tax cut and unemployment insurance issues as Congress tries to resolve a handful of contentious issues before the end of the year.  Mr. Obama is heading to Kansas on Tuesday and continue to push the payroll tax cut issue, which Democrats say they believe is one which could get increased traction with voters.

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