HONOLULU—With Congress finally buckling to White House demands to extend the payroll tax cuts before the new year, President Barack Obama is officially heading “home” to Hawaii for the holidays. The President is scheduled to arrive in Honolulu at 6:25 p.m.

“Because of this agreement, every working American will keep his or her tax cut—about $1,000 for the average family,” Obama said at a press conference Thursday. “That’s about $40 in every paycheck. Vital unemployment insurance will continue for millions of Americans who are looking for work.  And when Congress returns, I urge them to keep working to reach an agreement that will extend this tax cut and unemployment insurance for all of 2012 without drama or delay.”

The Secret Service has already made its presence felt in Kailua, where the President has stayed for the previous two holiday seasons. The rest of the “first family” have been in Hawaii since last week. Prior to the delay caused by the deadlock on Capitol Hill, Obama was scheduled to arrive in Honolulu on December 17.

The President plans to return to Washington in early January.

What are your thoughts on Congress’ ability to act on important issues? How important is the payroll tax for you, living in Hawaii? Is the President’s stay in Honolulu affecting your holidays? Please leave a comment below or send a letter to the editor at [email protected].