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Subscribe to RSSFrom the beginning of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations, aides from both sides have said that November would be for saber rattling and December would be when a deal is put together between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner with Majority Leader Harry Reid’s blessing.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in a press conference on Thursday attacked President Obama and the White House for not taking firm action in avoiding the so-called "fiscal cliff."
Well, consider comments from Boehner and Reid today to be the November saber rattling reporters were warned about.
In his weekly press conference Boehner called out Obama and the Democrats.
"The president has warned us about the dangers of going over the fiscal cliff, but his actions have not matched his public statements,” said Boehner, who acknowledged speaking with the president Wednesday night and called it “very nice” but “direct.” “Members of his own party seem quite comfortable sending the economy over the fiscal cliff."
Boehner said that no “substantive process had been made over the last two weeks” and that he was “disappointed” with the current state of the fiscal cliff negotiations. He also chided Democrats for not offering, he says, serious spending cuts in exchange for his promise of some increased revenue.
Republican leaders say they've put revenues on the table, but are waiting on President Barack Obama to give, and offer something up on ballooning federal retirement programs like Medicare. Fortune Magazine's Carol Loomis discusses.
Speaking later in the day, Reid took this blunt shot at Boehner: “I don’t understand his brain.”
Reid called for Republicans to make “a serious offer” and indicated that Democrats would not act until they heard Republican demands on cuts to entitlements.
Along with raising tax rates, entitlements are also a major sticking point in the negotiations. Neither side wants to be the first to put their fingerprints on any specific entitlement cuts due to the risk of a major public backlash from seniors.
Asked by NBC News what specific cuts to entitlements the GOP would like to see, Boehner pointed to previous budgets passed by the House GOP and rejected by Democrats, but he declined to be precise in what he wanted out of these negotiations.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio gestures as he speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, after private talks with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on the fiscal cliff negotiations.
“It's been very clear over the last year and half,” Boehner contended. “I've spoken to the president about many of them. If you look at our budget, where we outline very specific proposals that we passed in last year's budget and the budget before, we know what the menu is; we don't know what the White House is willing to do to get serious about our debt crisis."
Boehner dismissed an assertion that the talks had broken down, but his tone was far from optimistic. Wall Street is hoping to see a deal reached, is paying close attention, and both sides are acutely aware of that.
In what could be another potential headache for the White House, Boehner did not back down on his 2011 position regarding raising the nation’s debt limit, saying, “Any increase in the debt limit must be accompanied by spending cuts."
White House Spokesman Jay Carney said he was “surprised” by Boehner’s debt limit comments.
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The GOP is looking at some tough times ahead. And it's all because they refuse to end their war on the working class. Even if it means their own demise.
Oh, Well! Can't say I'm going to miss them come 2014.
Boehner himiself is the main problem, but of course, he doesn't see it that way.
Boehner used to be a reasonable man and I believe he still is. But what he doesn't seem to be is a man of principle. I believe he's being squeezed by the hard-right leaners. I've observed over time that he'll come out with a fairly moderate position and tone on a matter and then the next day falls back into the mad speaker.
Boehner is in a difficult position. He has to keep the crazies happy and at the same time, keep the really crazies happy. I don't think he can do both.
If the social safety net programs are member paid, cuts are not necessary, any of these programs' funding issues are member issues, and have nothing to do with GOP views. Get out of the way, get on with adding the additional funding that we all expect and understand is necessary or resign. Obviously none of this funding affects the Senators or representatives but it does touch everyday peoples lifes in massive ways.
If the GOP is upset at not having a piece of this pie then shame on them for wanting to profit from these most basic of services, minimal retirement funding without risk and medical care when all other options are off the table due to age, income, etc, shame on the GOP. I just wished I could have fired more of them in the last election.
Speaker Boehner and every Republican obstructionist in The House......we dare you... to let the country go over the cliff...
cause very soon.... Mr Speaker.... you all will be crying so much tears .....which will over-flow the Mississippi banks.....
Pass the tax cuts for those making under $250K and let the tax cuts expire for those making above $250K. Stop playing this political BS and get this done ...
FIX THIS!! This is not that hard ... You have X amount of dollars coming in, you have X amount of dollars going out ...
If the republicans are determined to keep shooting themselves in the foot, the best thing to do is to make sure they have plenty of bullets.
What's wrong Boehner, did your drinking kill off the brain cells that remember what the President offered 14 months ago?
Republicans rejected $3 trillion in spending cuts in 2011. Something Republicans in the media called the biggest mistake in Republican history. A Democratic President offering the largest spending cut plan in history and Republicans rejected it.
Republicans admit they don't care about the fiscal cliff deal because they will derail the economy in a few months by demanding another $1 trillion in spending cuts.
I guess it's good that Republicans admitted they will not negotiate in good faith and could care less what small businesses want.
Debbie
They rejected that 3 trillion in cuts because Obama and the Democrats wanted at least a 1.4 Trillion in taxes.
This seems to run in the GOP 'family'. The Mittster was all for "I have great ideas on the economy, entitlements, and tax cuts. Elect me, and trust me, and we'll work this out later." The Boner seems to think this is the normal order of business. "Let's not raise taxes now and we'll discuss details later." Seems to forget that the GOP lost the election and that taxes will go up for all in a month unless the GOP bends. As for the debt ceiling, their obstruction worked real well the last time, too, didn't it?? They may have to bend over all the way, but they will still have to bend.
Boehner, the people in your district may have re-elected you, but the rest of America wants you GONE FOREVER.
All Mr. Boehner has to do is put the bill, passed by the Senate, to continue the tax cuts for the middle class on the floor for a vote. I believe there would be enough votes to pass it in the House. I also believe that is what Mr. Boehner is afraid of. The POTUS has put his proposals on the table, unlike the GOP which has yet to outline the tax deductions vs tax cuts they propose to increase revenue.
Mr. Boehner has no one to blame for his "disappointment" but himself. He needs to show some "leadership" and get a proposal for the POTUS for review.
I Want A Refund From The Republican Party For All The Loses My Friends And I Incurred Due To Your
Self Serving Failures!!!!!!!!!
Yes -- For The Lives And Damages To My Friends And I Who Served In Iraq!
Yes -- For The Lives And Damages To My Friends And I Who Served In Afghanistan!
Yes -- For The Recession You Brought On To Us And Our Country!
Yes -- For The Money You Continually Gave To The Rich When Taking Jobs And Food Away From Those In Need!
Yes -- For Accusing Us Of Being The Takers -- Not Makers!
Yes -- For Insulting Our Intelligence Right To Our Faces!
Yes -- For Your Continued Stone Walling In Congress!
Yes -- For Paying You For Doing Nothing For This Country!
Yes -- We Americans Want A Refund -- And Now Is The Time To Pay It!
NO!
Do you want the Democrats who voted for the Iraq War and who funded that war for 8 years to pay a refund also?
Do you want the Democrats who amended the CRA in 1992 1993 1994 1995 to help pay for that Recession that they helped cause?
Do you want Bill Clinton and the Democrats who voted for NAFTA to bring those jobs back from China and Mexico?
Do you want Harry Reid to refund anything fro blocking those 30 some odd House Bills sitting on his desk?
Do you want Obama and the Democrats to refund those Bush Tax Cuts for the rich? After all they could have rescinded them in 2009 and 2010 with no problem. Those are Budget items and the Budget is EXEMPT from the filibuster.
Neither side cares about anything except power and reelection, and every calculated decision is based on that goal. If dems wanted tax hikes they could have let the Bush era tax cuts expire in 2009. To continue calling the current tax code the Bush tax cuts is wrong, when they were extended under democrat house/senate/White house control. If reps really wanted spending cuts, they had ample opportunity between 2000 and 2006 to demonstrate their belief in smaller government. Instead the gave us homeland security, the TSA, prescription drug coverage, and did not cut one single program. The fiscal cliff we should be discussing is the current annual deficit of over 1 trillion dollars, and the cumulative debt which is over 16 trillion and growing. We are in for some very rough times that will make the current economic conditions look like the good ol' days--no matter which party is in control.
After promising cooperation over and over like the spring rains. After showing late up for dinner too, too often. After being left with faded rose in days forlorn. After the bride is spurned at moment between 'do you' and 'yes'. After all the economy is but the bride of uncertain marriage, a day or so before the twins arrive.
The father of the bride, has left the church in hast ignored, there was to be a wedding or else a feast fit for a funeral.
Yet with emotions raw the spoken words on hushed tones to protect the children innocence. Those twins' energy and innovation are to be sacrificed as well, three markers above the graves. Still the pain is not erased, after nasty deeds are done, next an errant bride removed to another country. The memory is not gone but around every corner, and bend in the rode, behind every tree, the proud grandparents surprise, imagined smiles and laugher, and slap down by the wind chill.
The next, the next thought is of the death of three more markers above the grave, still the house and farm remains, decayed by neglect, as no one wants to look past the growing thicket to see the ruins.
As some drift aimlessly in late season, distant bells are heard, from the church, greeting the hills with the message. Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men. But this annual affair, brought to ruin by a string of endless and unbroken promises, by various forms of lust, greed, and revenge. To live long, years now, end on end, term by term, issue by issue, to greet every new day with the failed message of yesterday all the days gone by, does not erase, the pain of unforgiving deeds.
What give do these kings of unknown wisdom, bring to years end renewal, what protection is offered for a future, who is the accountant that cannot account for the good well enough to see where evil comes.
No, No Speaker Boehner it is not you. No, No, Leader McConnell it not you. You have repealed "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Men" but you are only delaying the inevitable victory of hollow value.
Your Christmas wish is to keep the "President Obama from achieving anything", this will be your success but it will forever the pain all of the people of the country to make sure that you are not remembered, there will be no monument amidst the ruin, decay or near markers in the grave and no castle in the sky promised to the dawn of the new day.
There will be no Peace while you can still be remembered for treachery.
Hey Boehner... Put in writing the GOP's proposed spending cuts the republicans want to make.... That way it can be used against every republican in 2014.
OICY
The Republicans proposed those cuts in their 2011 and 2012 Budgets. Just GOOGLE Republican FY2011 or FY2012 Budget.
Where is the compromise? I see one party offering compromise but not the other! Totally irresponsible: Where are the good faith negotiations?
Boehner has no one to be more disappointed with than himself. It is he, and he alone, who ceded control of the House to the minority fringe teabaggers.
ok so we raise taxes, then what? What will change in this Country?? What cuts need to be made? I haven't read any posts on here that even touch this topic.
Spending cuts are going to happen on their own. Another reason Boehner and the republicans are in a panic.
happen on their own, that is interesting. You still didn't answer the question. I guess I thought the Rep. wanted spending cuts, Boehner said that no “substantive process had been made over the last two weeks” and that he was “disappointed” with the current state of the fiscal cliff negotiations. He also chided Democrats for not offering, he says, serious spending cuts in exchange for his promise of some increased revenue
Republicans don't like the spending cuts that are in place. Like for defense. They want cuts to education, PBS, Planned Parenthood, Social Security, Medicare, Welfare, food stamps, school lunch programs for poor kids.
JimS
All those things you mentioned COST more than the Defense of this country.
ya know what, all those programs mentioned need a trimming. We could give 100% in taxes and unless programs are trimmed and pork stopped, it will make no diference.
oh and Jim, at my daughters school, I find it hard to believe that 60% of kids need free or reduced lunch. I think they need to set the bar a little higher for that program. Lots of abuse going on there!
We have the names of the people who contributed to our fiscal mess (and we know how much they are worth). We know who talked us into invading Iraq. We know who in banking, housing, on Wall Street ripped off the American people. We know what companies have sent manufacturing overseas. We know what companies have given their CEO's obscene bonuses, while reducing jobs, hours and benefits, and wages. Maybe we should put a list together, and hold them responsible. That is a major Republican talking point - people taking responsibility and not relying on others. They got us into this, they are the ones that should get us out. It is only the most selfish who would expect grandma, a child, a low wage worker pay the price for their greed. Some of them should be in jail. I'd be happy to just hear them say, "hey, I screwed up, so I'll help fix the problem." Talk about a Kumbaya moment.
Gonecrazy - Do I hear you blaming the liberals - again? Of course, the Prez has a plan. We have been going with his progressive plans, and Wall Street is doing great, housing prices are up, job rates are improving monthly, consumer confidence is way up, many people in the country are coming together to solve social and economic problems. We are seeing how far it is getting us, and apparently most of us are happy with the direction - if not always the process. It would be great if Republicans would contribute something besides anger and resentment. Democrats can function in a world of disagreement, after all, we don't have an overriding ideology we have to bow to. In fact, disagreement is part of our whole philosophy of diversity. Within this disagreement, we try to find areas of agreement, to try to address underlying principles, and over time we evolve. The Republicans seem to be devolving. Stop hating us so much. We are not out to get you, and we aren't ruining the country. We are trying to heal us. Why not try joining in? We're not enemies. Invest your passion into make us better people and a better country.
Hey, Boehner... Go around to all your insane tea party crazies and get their ideas for spending cuts they want to impose on America before they will be willing to let the middle class keep their tax cuts.... Put it all in Writing so we can use it against you in 2014!
On November 6, the American people had the opportunity to endorse Obama's economic plan or reject it. They overwhelmingly accepted his plan to increase taxes on those people making over $250k a year. Listening to the republican leadership, you would think there was never a November 6th election. It is back to business of doing nothing as usual.
If the republicans refuse to to come to the table and have a meaningful budget discussions, the president should evoke Executive privilege on the budget of his plan whether temporary or permanent. That provision is in the constitution!
Everyone in the Democratic and Republican parties agree that the tax cuts should be extended for the middle class. There is no argument about that. President Obama has suggested that, since both parties agree, let's make it legal now.
But the GOP will simply not cooperate, probably for two main reasons. (We have to guess, because they're not explicit.)
One reason is that it would look like some kind of victory for the Obama administration if the problem were solved and the economy less uncertain.
Second, if the GOP permitted an extension of the tax cuts for working people, they would be giving up their leverage to extend the tax cuts for the wealthy. The focus of public and media attention would shift to the condition of the very rich. The GOP does not want an argument over the welfare of the rich, all by itself. This has been known as "holding middle-class tax payers hostage in return for extended benefits for the rich."
I realize that this sounds like a dirty trick by Boehner and his stampeding herd of zealots, but what other explanation fits the facts? Both parties agree on an extension of middle-class tax cuts -- and yet the Republicans will not allow it to happen.
Republicans don't agree to keeping the tax cuts for the middle class. Someone needs to make up the difference for the tax cuts they want to give the top 2%.
Mr. Bonner needs to try harder. His party has spent the last 2 years throwing up road blocks to solutions to the problems. The American people don't have much sympathy for tax breaks for the wealthy. They just send the money to tax shelters outside the US and no jobs are created in the US. That's where Mitt's money is. There's billions of American dollars in offshore tax shelters where it does our country no good. We're going of the cliff and there will be allot of casualties. Unfortunately they are always American working people.
Ah - the translation of this from 'Republican speak' is thus:
"Boehner disappointed that Obama didn't just bend over and take it by automatically giving in to whatever the Repubicans want"
Which means it's back to the usual F U Obama from the House.
It's "supply side" economics verses "demand side" economics.
Supply Side: Give money to the wealthy so they can create jobs. (What we've been doing since Reagan. AKA "VooDoo economics")
Demand Side: Put money in the middle class's pockets. Create demand and even if the wealthy claim they don't have enough money to make the jobs, SOMEONE will! (We ought to try this, for once.)
Can you believe it?!?! The headline reads:"Boehner 'disappointed' by lack of 'substantive progress' on fiscal cliff talks" ?!?! Well Mr. Speaker I suggest you get your goofey lying game playing butt up to the White house to meet with the PRESIDENT of the UNIED STATES!!!!