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Subscribe to RSSAnyone thinking Republicans might be ready to accept extending the Bush tax cuts for those making less than $250,000 now, think again.
House Speaker John Boehner (R), the man at the center of negotiations with President Obama, today rejected Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole’s suggestion to pass an extension of tax cuts for 98 percent of people, declare victory, and go home.
Yuri Gripas / Reuters
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) speaks next to Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 28, 2012.
"I told Tom earlier at our conference meeting that I disagreed with him,” Boehner said at a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday morning. “He's a wonderful friend of mine and a great supporter of mine. In my view, raising taxes on the so-called top 2 percent, half of those taxpayers are small-business owners that pay their taxes through their personal income filing every year. The goal here is to grow the economy and control spending; you're not going to grow the economy if you raise the top 2 percent rates. It'll hurt small businesses, and it'll hurt our economy, why this is not the right approach. We're willing to put revenue on the table as long as we are not raising rates."
Cole (R-OK) on Wednesday reiterated his call for Congress to pass an extension of the Bush tax rates for those making less than $250,000 first and then work on the extension for higher-earners later, a major break from the Republican's strategy in fiscal-cliff negotiations.
“In my view, we all agree that we're not going to raise taxes on people who make less than $250,000 dollars, so we should just take them out of this discussion right now,” Cole said after a meeting of the GOP Conference. “Continue to fight against any rate increases; continue to try to work, honestly, for a much bigger deal.”
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss the ongoing fiscal cliff negotiations and how Grover Norquist's no-tax-increase pledge plays into the discussion. Plus, what happened when Susan Rice made a visit to The Hill.
Cole, the deputy whip and former National Republican Congressional Committee chairman, first made the suggestion during a closed-door "whip meeting" yesterday, which was first reported by Politico last night. His comments have drawn criticism from those in his party.
Boehner is not the only Republican to disagree with Cole. Rep. Sean Duffy said on MSNBC’s Daily Rundown Wednesday morning that he believed Cole’s views are in the “minority” of House Republicans. In fact, interviews with other GOP members confirms that.
The lack of support for Cole’s proposal highlights the gap that persists between the White House and House Republicans with the clock ticking toward the so-called “fiscal cliff,” when all Americans would see tax increases and there would be a round a severe Defense and domestic spending cuts unless a deal is struck.
“Cherry picking provisions and rates right now doesn’t solve the problem, and they're not a serious deficit solution,” Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) told reporters today after a meeting of the Republican Conference.
Brady, who sits on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, said he is advocating for comprehensive tax reform, to be completed next year after all rates would be extended.
“I think we're strongly unified behind no tax increases on New Year’s Day,” he said.
Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) echoed Brady’s concerns, saying he believes the majority of the Republican Conference, including himself, is opposed to the idea of decoupling the Bush tax rates.
“We have to make tough decisions about our tax rates,” Labrador said. “We have to make tough decisions about our spending; we have to make tough decisions about our deficit. Let's do that today. There's nothing courageous about saying let's raise taxes on a few people today.”
In August, House Democrats proposed a bill that would do exactly what Cole proposed, but it failed 257-170 with no Republicans voting for the bill, and 19 Democrats voting against it.
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The Republicans refuse to admit why and how they lost the election. After getting a sound beating they resort to the same nonsense that cost them the election in the first place.
And for those Republicans that keep harping that Obama won by only a 2% or 3% margin, you're ignorant of how we count votes in this country. Sorry, but we don't count individuals, per se. We count ELECTORAL VOTES.
And in that category, again the only category that matters, Barack Obama trounced, walloped and annihilated Mitt Romney.
And now the GOP, from Boehner and Cantor to McCain and Graham are back to doing what they do best, which means party comes before country. Fine with me, because it means they'll get trounced in the mid-terms of 2014.
What a bunch of dopes.
And yet, President "I'm open to compromise" Obama is insisting that taxes be raised on the wealthy or taxes will go up for everyone.
Who is holding the middle class cuts hostage?
MJ--the republicans are holding the middle class hostage to the 1%. There is no other reason not to extend the middle class taxes immediately.
Hell, let all the tax breaks expire and rates return to the levels imposed before the tax reduction under Bush (and extended by Obama). The people decided an election where the central issues were increased taxes on the wealthy, retention of healthcare reform, and maintaining current fiscal policies. People will know who to blame and I rather think it won't be long before that blame attaches to the recalcitrant ideologues in the House. Thanks for the rejection, Boehner. You have helped Democrats in both chambers immensely but I'd imagine you will ultimately piss off a lot of people ~ people who have good memories ~ and people who vote.
The hilarity is that must posters appear to believe its Dems or Reps. Neither party wants solution. Dems are just as guilty holding America hostage. Where are the proposed spending cuts? Yikes, lets call it as it is! They aren't there. There has been PLENTY of time to work on the looming financial crisis. Dems are just as guilty at serving their own interest. Neither party has any genuine interest in helping middle class America.
Someone please help me! A big part of President Obama's campaign platform was raising taxes on the top 1-2% right? He won the election pretty convincingly, right? WTF, republicans are just picking up where they left off with obstructionism. Lord help us. I am dumbfounded, unless many of them are ready to give up their seats in 2014 if they think they are going to win with this strategy. Repubs better buckle up their chin straps because they are going to take a beating if they think this is going to work.
President Obama ran on a "balanced" approach, but where are his cuts to go with his revenues?
The Congressional Research Office report on tax cuts and economic growth/jobs.
The results of the analysis suggest that changes over the past 65 years in the top marginal tax rate and the top capital gains tax rate do not appear correlated with economic growth. The reduction in the top tax rates appears to be uncorrelated with saving, investment, and productivity growth. The top tax rates appear to have little or no relation to the size of the economic pie.
However, the top tax rate reductions appear to be associated with the increasing concentration of income at the top of the income distribution. As measured by IRS data, the share of income accruing to the top 0.1% of U.S. families increased from 4.2% in 1945 to 12.3% by 2007 before falling to 9.2% due to the 2007-2009 recession. At the same time, the average tax rate paid by the top 0.1% fell from over 50% in 1945 to about 25% in 2009. Tax policy could have a relation to how the economic pie is sliced—lower top tax rates may be associated with greater income disparities.
Too bad your numbers don't apply to the Global Economy we're in today.
How large was the trade deficit in 1945, 1955, 1965, 1975, or even 1985?
Why do I always think of Comedian Bob Nelson's, "Jiffy Jeff's Gym" starring Boehner? And the Republican's in the house as the "All Pro Lineup" skit.
This proves that the GOP is not serious about extending tax cuts to the middle class, simply a continuation of holding the middle class hostage to keep tax rates from increasing for the top 2%. The GOP has just taken the country over the cliff, automatic tax increases for everyone and automatic cuts to defense! All or none is the name of their game.
The GOP wants to extend the Obama cuts for everyone. President Obama wants to raise rates for the wealthy, at the risk of everyone's rates increasing. Meanwhile, where are the proposed cuts?
Looks like President Obama is reneging on the bipartisan deal of sequestration.
Absolutely right and the correct approach as well. There are consequences to elections (on both sides of the aisle/same coin). We voted for big spenders, we're going to have pay the bill. And notice that spenders was plural, not one person.
They were Bush Tax Cuts, not Obama. His proposed cuts have been submitted to congress.
Likewise the Dems are not serious about offering any genuine spending cuts. So which is the greater of the two evils? Both parties call for balance, but neither offer it. And meanwhile we just quibble about which side is right or wrong. Let's just say they both are, and neither appear willing to do anything to genuinely fix the problem for the rest of us.
Boehner seems like a decent and sensible guy but he seems unable to reign in that herd of stampeding zealots in the House of Representatives. If he tried too hard, well, Eric Cantor is eager to replace him as Speaker.
His unyielding position is what all the soul-searching in the GOP was supposed to be about, and now it's beginning to look like nothing more than theater. Boehner may refuse to consider restoring taxes for the uber-rich but, according to recent polls, 60% of Americans want taxes back where they were for the rich, at a bit more than 39%. That 60% must include some Republicans because Obama didn't get that much of the popular vote.
Boehner's constant references to "small businesses" is misleading. The image it brings to mind is a Mom and Pop grocery store, whereas, through some creative organization, corporations like Bechtel are classified as small businesses. A small business is partly defined by the number of owners, not the number of employees. It's not lying. It's just misleading.
The Tea Party types in the house will evidently stand by their principles -- one to Grover Norquist and one to Mitch McConnell to defeat anything that the administration tries to accomplish. It won't be easy getting them out. They've gerrymandered their districts so their position is pretty solid. The Democratic vote in the House races was greater than the GOP but it didn't make a proportionate difference.
It may not be that they love the very rich so much. But they do owe them for their financial support. And they do seem to be firm ideologues. And refusing to raise taxes on the very wealthy (who paid a marginal rate of 93% under Eisenhower) gives them leverage on other issues.
We can look forward to more gridlock in the foreseeable future, including the debt ceiling. If we don't raise it, we can't pay interest on loans already incurred. Last time, it resulted in a downgrading of America's Treasury bonds, which are supposed to be backed by "the full faith and credit of the government." Michelle Bachmann called openly for a default, which would have been a catastrophe, claiming that it would "clear the air." No one has explained what that phrase means.
Both parties are completely out of touch with the American public and both are unwilling to do what needs to be done. All they do is talk, talk, talk, talk, talk and nothing EVER gets done. This is NOT rocket science. And it all boils down to the man in the White House - he is to blame for all of it. He just does not know how to bring together the people below him. He can smooth talk all he wants, but it's all for show and I'm not buying into what he's selling. God help this country and all the people who are hard working American citizens.
It's all his fault? Everything? You're not still mad about your guy losing the election are you? Cause that would be the only reason to spew such inanity....not a good reason; but at least A reason.
Boehner is one pathetic bastard along with the other republicans.
At least the PRESIDENT does it CORRECTLY. TAKE IT TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS NATION. Not this CONGRESS with a GANG of MAFIOSOS that think THEY HAVE THE MAJORITY OF VOTES.
I feel like I am in a "CLICK GROUP IN HIGH SCHOOL WITH THIS BUNCH OF RETARDS".
Man get out of OFFICE!
What is with 'pretty boy' Bohner's nice tan............looks like he has too much time on his hands.
Pretty Boy was most likely at the caman islands , during their walk out, or so called Vacation !!
That cliff is getting ever closer- they'd better do something quick
It is a win, win either way........if we don't go 'over the cliff', most likely something will be 'worked-out' for tax advantages 'for most folks', and if we do go 'over the cliff', I can buy a condo in Florida on the 'cheap' as Real Estate will be one of the first things affected in a BIG WAY.
The Democratic party is trying to avoid sequestration, raise revenue, and change fillibuster rules; all in the name of compromise and bispartisanship.
Time to send ALL of the crazed repugs packing. Get teatards & repugs out off office in 2014. As for now...
I dare them to fall off the cliff.
The party of "no" wonders why they lost the presidential election & didn't "take" the senate.
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WANT THE RI$H to pay more !!!!
So if President Obama doesn't get his "rich tax", everybody pays more?
I say it's time to swept the HOUSE next election. Obviously the fools have not learned a lesson from the last two turn out of people. The people have spoken in the general election so let's handling business in local and state, CLEAN HOUSE. We are the people responsible for electing these fools. Change the game on them by voting their azz outta here.
It is surprising that Bonehead has not asked for another roll-call vote on repealing the ACA. 33 times he tried it and 33 times he lost.
The Great Obstruction Party simply learned nothing from the election.
Why don't we do this. Go ahead and extend the Bush tax cuts for everyone. Then take away most of the deductions for the top 2%. That way the republicans can keep their word that they would not raise the tax RATE while still increasing revenue. We also need to cut spending, but the main cost for this Country are defense, medicare and social security. If we are not willing to make some cuts to defense, then why would anyone agree to making cuts in the other two? We should take a serious look at how wars are fought today and re-evaluate what out dated equipment we are wasting money on. I am not saying that we need to gut the military, we just need to make it more efficient. Then we can start to modify social security and medicare for those are getting into the system NOW. Not for those who have been faithfully paying those taxes for most of their lives!
Because that won't work, there aren't enough deductions...unless you take away mortgage and IRA from the middle class.
President Obama already claimed that the numbers don't work.
Then again, raising the rate on earned income doesn't do much to get revenue from the Buffett's & Romney's.
And yet again, the $80-100B per year in revenue in President Obama's plan suggests we won't be doing much to lower the deficit, invest in technology, green jobs, alternative fuels, education, infrastructure, etc.
Wow can you make the title of this story any more biased?
The title says: "Boehner rejects call to pass tax cuts now for those making less than $250,000".
That is exactly what he did...what is biased about the title? You resent the fact the title is truth? Of course, Republicans never let the truth interfere with their complaining.
Mr. Boehner rejects doing an half-arse job. He disagrees with just passing some cuts while kicking the rest of the issues down the road.
And isn't sequestration the bipartisan agreement reached by default? Why are the Democrats trying to reneg with a partial deal?
Ok, Boehner. You will own this stance you just took. You want to hold hostage the middle class in this game rather than do something everyone agrees on, and continue to work on remaining issues. So I say we let the Bush tax cuts go ahead and expire for all, and then Geitner can freeze the withholding for us in January.
More proof, assuming any was needed, that the Republicans would rather see America go down the tubes than compromise. This is one reason they were trounced at the polls this time, and why they will be humiliated even further in 2014.
Apparently they still haven't figured out that Americans are sick to death of their obstructionism, their constant finger-pointing (at everyone but themselves, of course) and their total failure to bring anything positive to the table.
One wonders how many times their policies have to be repudiated by voters, before they will finally take an honest look at their own actions. No worries - we're happy to keep voting them out. If we're lucky, we'll soon become a single-party...and progressive...nation.
Does Mr. Boehner not understand that the majority of Americans want the tax rates of the top wealthiest Americans to be fair and equal to the rates that the middle class and working poor pay...EQUAL RATES...not PAY MORE. EQUAL RATES on their income so it is fair. They have enjoyed all the breaks and lower rates for the last 10 years and have benefitted tremendously for it. While the middle class has declined in wealth! This is why we voted for OBAMA not ROMNEY! Is he deaf? An idiot? Stupid? Get with the program or we will vote you out...get out of the way and let America recover...this equality of taxes is not only the right and correct path to choose...it is one that will help America recover faster....more money in the pockets of more average Americans...wow..the GOP is really beholden to the rich and only want to help the rich...they do not care one bit about the middle class or whether they have decent jobs! Look at McCain focusing on a red herring instead of the JOBS, jobs, jobs is all we are about thing. A bunch of liars...just like their forgotten hero...Romney.
Listen, I am not rich but I am also not deluded. The rich already pay more in taxes than those who are not wealthy. We are not asking them for what is "fair" (that would be a flat tax on all incomes).We are asking them to pay a larger percentage of taxes on what they do earn simply because it doesn't take away from their ability to buy basic needs. So lets not sell it like they don't already pay more in taxes because they do.
At worst, they can simply hide it in other forms of revenue and wealth.
Boehner, get lost!
We would like to have you fired and take some of the other phony american republican wealth protecting mob with you.
The tanning parlor is frying Boehner's brain. Useless sad Congress
The tanning parlor is paying for Obamacare.
I have to agree with his stance even though I do feel wealthier Americans can afford more.
The real issue is this, Obama and the Dems have had plenty of time to have a valid proposal that explores spending cuts in addition to raising the taxes. Where is THIS part of the proposal? Why isn't that coming forth? By this time they should at least be able to say something like "we propose to reduce spending by ??? much by cutting out these expenses". Obama has had 4 years to conjure up at least SOME solutions to the spending part of the problem.
All I hear Obama saying is he wants the Reps to give him what he wants. Don't hear him saying anything concrete at all about spending reductions. So let him put his spending cut proposal on the table for all to see. Obama and dems are just as guilty at holding the people hostage - they just hide it by demanding what they want with no concrete evidence of a willingness to come up with a well-rounded solution to the crisis. Then they point the finger in blame and act like they are really trying to "work together".
Let's take care of the American public first...that is a better idea
JJRA
President Obama may have fallen off the "fair & balanced" beam.
JJRA, if Obama were to offer a ten percent reduction in all federal benefit programs, it would be rejected by House Republicans. Its not the amount nor the target program ~ its the author that moves rejection. There are those in the House that are as committed to obstructing Obama's agenda today as there were on Nov 5th. In fact, retaining control of the chamber emboldens their resolve. We should not be concerned that the likes of Boehner - Cantor - Ryan can't read the leaves at the bottom of the cup.
Lets check the Constitution, there has to be a way to fire Graham from SC, McCain, Bauchman, Eric Cantor, another do nothing and an obstructist, the loser of the vp race Ryan, he needs to go also. If they are going to do their job and just bicker, they need to go for the good of the country. In about three years, I think the Republicans are going to see the fading of the party unless they start working to help our country, not just line their own pockets. All of the above signed Norquist letter. That man is also an obstrucist, and he should be put on trial for treason. the man is the runation of this great country, his first name is greed.
Who are the "TAR PIT BRAINS" that re-hired these ABSOLUTE GOOD FOR NON-DEMOCRATIC TYPES BACK IN.
They should be TAR and FEATHERED. Thrown out to the STREETS.
What the Speaker doesn't seem to realize is that in the next Congress, in January, all Rep Cole needs is 15 republican friends and he wins this. Being a republican himself, I bet he already has them.