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Subscribe to RSSJohn Boehner makes a new offer to President Obama in hopes of reaching a deal to resolve the impending fiscal cliff. NBC's Kristen Welker reports.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) sent a new offer on Tuesday afternoon to President Barack Obama in hopes of reaching a deal to resolve the impending fiscal cliff.
Specific details are scarce, but the proposal apparently was made as a counter-offer to something the White House had proposed over the last few days. A GOP aide said the White House plan offered $1.4 trillion in new revenue, but the GOP still not moved from offering $800 billion in revenue.
Boehner spokesman Michael Steel told NBC News the following:
"We sent the White House a counter-offer that would achieve tax and entitlement reform to solve our looming debt crisis and create more American jobs. As the Speaker said today, we're still waiting for the White House to identify what spending cuts the president is willing to make as part of the "balanced approach" he promised the American people. The longer the White House slow-walks this process, the closer our economy gets to the fiscal cliff."
Speaker of the House John Boehner provides an update on the fiscal cliff negotiations, placing pressure on the White House to reveal how they intend to compromise with House Republicans on spending cuts.
Since this is a new offer, it’s assumed to be different from the one put forward last week by the GOP that called for $800 billion dollars in new revenue through closing tax loopholes and deductions, along with an additional $600 billion in savings through cuts to entitlements.
A GOP aide opined to NBC News that the president must move more quickly on “the spending side” before any deal could hope to be accomplished. A major sticking point to date has involved how much ground Republicans would give on tax rates for the wealthy.
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I forgot didn't the Republicans LOSE the election, TWICE!
So the majority of the citizens of the United States elect Obama to work for them, twice and the Republican party still thinks they have a say in things.
I'm trying to understand this but I have a hard time grasping things these days.
So has Boehner ever hear of the Wig party?
I remember playing baseball as a child and when we lost we may have gotten a hot dog but we never got the Trophy. Why, because we lost.
When two nations go to war the losing side neither writes the history books or dictate terms. They no longer have a say in things why, because they LOST!
Here I am rehashing the obvious. The PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA elected President Obama to enact the policies the PEOPLE want. Not your agenda, the Republican Parties agenda, not Wealthy people's agenda and certainly not Corporations agenda (which are NOT people).
This crap in Michigan also, have fun getting re-elected by enacting law under the cover of darkness. That seems the only way the Republican party can do business these days.
The Republican still do have a clear MAJORITY in Congress! The president cannot make laws or approve the budget, so clearly the Republicans still do have a say. It is up to Obama to negotiate.
You may be right on that they still have the Majority but the Citizens of the United States of which not only we own this country, have REAL property in this country and these Republicans are actually paid by us had heard the message of what we want.
Why is it that in European countries those who work in Governmental bodies are beholden to the people and they can't do that here.
In France they take it to the streets and the Government fears it's people.
Here they just throw your butt in jail, taze or pepper spray you.
The United States has the largest prison system outdoing the Russians in their big, bad oppressive communist country.
Nope, the US is the exact opposite, not only do we fear the Government we also just fall into place and look the other way until they come after you.
Why are all the derogatory comments that are directed toward women always made by conservative republicans? Why do republicans wonder by intelligent women don't vote for them?
It's in the genes.
I'm tired of reading "but the GOP still not moved". I didn't vote for Boehner. I voted for our President and HE WON. I don't want President Obama moving even another millimeter from where he is now. He's already reduced new revenue from 1.6 to 1.4 trillion. Let the GOP stall till the fiscal cliff and then next election we'll have total Democratic House and Senate and pass what is good for the country without arguments instead of the GOP arguments for the rich.
The president does not have the power under the constitution to raise taxes. So, he MUST negotiate with the Republicans!
Gene, I think you misread the article. The WH asked for 1.4 trillion in new tax revenue; the GOP didn't budge off the 800 Billion offer. So the GOP did not step up big time. So the ball is still in their court; why should President Obama accept this counter offer? He's not getting the tax revenue he and the American people want through increased tax rates on the top percentages.
Half of us do not want the higher taxes. Obama did not have a mandate, he won by less than 2%!
Less than half of you.....
It is not sure whether America will go over the cliff on 1st January, but the millionaires and GOP will surely go over the cliff if the GOP is not agree with Obama to raise taxes of millionaires. Obama should keep his end tight and let the GOP radicals bow down at the last minute. If not, they will be eliminated from the Congress and Senate in the coming elections.
You might be surprised. Not everybody agrees with soaking the rich! I will be more likely to vote for them if they stand their ground.
So the Republican counter-offer is, yet again, "We get everything we want, and you get nothing." This is the right-wing idea of "compromise."
Obama is finally growing a pair. All the negotiations on the tax extensions and debt ceiling last year were started from a position in the middle and the Dems assumed the GOP would do what was best for the country and meet close to that, Wrongo!! Now Obama has his stuff together and leverage, Even 70% of the Republican base wants this insanity to end and a settlement. The GOP continues to "rage" against uncertainty while creating that same uncertainty. Even if they do cave on the taxes, they will do the same thing they did last year on the debt ceiling, and look how successful THAT was.
damn that President Obama for acting like he won the election and the majority of American people support him. The GOP is out of touch with reality and the "TeaParty" doubly so. If we go over the fiscal cliff taxes get raised for everyone. The Dem just want taxes raised on the super wealthy. in short, the GOP would rather screw the everybody rather than just the rich
I see the GOP being the only adults in the room. Raising taxes on the Top 2% is easy but it gains little ground. If we don't get these entitlements under control, we screw future generations forever. Only the GOP seems to care.
Boehner can keep trying but unless it is what Obama wants it won't happen anyway. So every time he tries a new approach it will be denied. It will go on and Obama will get exactly what he wants. This is so stupid. It seems like they let Obama run all over The House!
Boehner never offers anything. Name one specific cut and how for much that he has proposed. Go ahead, Doris, we got all night. All the repubs talk about is getting rid of Medicare and SS and even republican voters don't want that. The majority of American voters, republicans included, want the rich to pay a higher share. What is it about that the Boehner doesn't get? Previously, the House walked all over Obama because he came to it with planned concessions already and the repubs still said no.He offered $3 in spending cuts to $1 in revenue and they shut him out. He offered $10 in cuts to $1 in revenue and they still shut him out. Anyone who believes Boehner and the repubs care about the middle calss as sadly mistaken.
Mike
Why do you keep doing that? No GOP leader that I know of has proposed getting rid of SS or Medicare. They are proposing to slow the growth. Medicare is underfunded by $31 TRILLION today of we account for Medicare the way corporations are required to fund their benefits programs, so someone better do something about it FAST. Only the GOP seems to care.
Obviously, Bohner doesn't understand it's HIS job to come up with a plan to avoid the cliff! Not President Obama! That's the way it works.
Bohner knows what the answer should be; he just doesn't want to do it.
Cancel Christmas reccess for this bunch of flakes!
Suzq
Why so negative? The POTUS is the one that proposes budgets.
What are the specifics of the GOP proposal? No one seems to be able to provide any answers, except that they've made cuts to Social Security and Medicaid; which is about the only chunk of money left in the public coffers and added to on a consistent basis. Still, there are no specifics on that. An increase of $80 million a year over 10 years, in new revenue is nothing compared to $1.4 billion a year over 10 years. What is the comparison if the tax cuts, that were temporary, expired?
About $4B per year out of the economy and into the treasury. The GOP are protecting the top 2% but will hit the economy hard if they don't fold or the tax cuts are not retroactive if we go off the cliff. Still does not impact the sequester for defense hits if they only address taxes now.
I have NEVER seen any specifics from Republicans about revenue or budget PROGRAM cuts. They had NO problem spending like drunken sailors during the Bush years and tanking our economy.
HMS
Do you recall that little thing called 911 that nearly sank our economy. You conveniently omit that little detail, huh?
I'm amazed how the GOP is protecting the top 2%. If we go over the cliff, the top 2% get the higher tax rate and when the stock market goes in the toilet they will lose billions. It will make the extra 3.6% seem like toll money...
The GOP needs to give up on the 2% tax rate and drop the cutting spending into the dems court.
Don't waver, Mr. President, you have the majority of the electorate behind you. The GOP is a relic of a bygone era...like a fossil that belongs in a museum.
char
Don't waiver on what? The POTUS seems unwilling to slow entitlement growth which will bankrupt us and he wants carte blanche on raisng the debt ceiling which is defined in the constitution, so he won't get it.
What are you saying?
Suzq-now we're talking! Keep the congress in session until a compromise is reached. Nothing like a little inconvenience to speed things up. How many years now have we had one crisis or another threaten the delay of Christmas vacation?
It would be done in a day if their time off is in jeopardy!
The GOP released their 2013 calendar. They work about 1/3 of the year on issues, the remainder is "constituent work" or holidays. A tough job, but some one has to do it.
I wonder when Obama is going to start compromising and negotiating on this --- he seems to think he had a mandate. I did not vote Republican this time around, but I may next time if the Democrats are unwilling to negotiate in good faith.
Haven't been following the news too closely, have ya?
expat
your many post reflect the republican view so find it difficult to believe you did not vote that way.
I have voted Libertarian for president for 36 years. I have never in my life voted for a Republican presidential candidate. I have not voted Democrat (socialist) either. I will never vote for Dems as long as they are for equality of income by law. I believe in the accumulation of wealth.
Willie,
I believe that a vote for a major party is wasted. During the Bush years Democrats wasted their votes on Democratic presidential candidates. During the Obama years Republicans are wasting their votes on Republican candidates --- using your logic, that if the candidate is not elected, then the vote is wasted.
I vote for what I believe in. I do not believe in the Democrat or Republican stands on the issues. I will continue to support Libertarians whether or not they are elected. And if third parties were outlawed, then I would resort to violence.
I think it would be better for the government to give us the option to oppose the major parties in a peaceful manner.
Lets go over the cliff and then they can start talking. Nobody wants to give up a thing so lets go.
Do you think Boehner can get his Tea Party to offer anything of substance that would increase tax rates on the rich GOP contributors? "Hell no! he can't!". If it was so great, why not let our citizens see what the proposal is? Or doesn't the Tea Party represent us any more? How about kissing our citizen's asses for a change, for the Grand Recession, while leaving Obama to change Republican diapers and clean up your mess?
Jack
Your kind of talk is the reason they don't release details. You are so negative. Why?
We have a serious problem and it seems to be recognized only by the GOP. No matter what they do, our national debt will continue to spiral upward.
Do you care about your grandkids and their grandkids? We have to turn this thing around.
Did Feastly's feedbag fall off again??? Someone please fill it up so we don't have to listen to BIGGGGY.....
The funny thing in all this, is that the Boner has to sell this to the caucus. If only a few tea partiers balk, any deal is toast, and the whole party gets the blame.
Boehner can sell it so long as the POTUS is serious on spending cuts.
Remember how we got here. BUSH. This is his plan, sunset coming soon. Passed plans which lowered taxes, was going to create jobs. Ask any economist, doesn't work. To get it passed, had to have sunset. No rainy day fund,not looking into future. Deferred payment of wars, doesn't work. First time taxes weren't raised to pay for war, during war. Republicans and BUSH own sunset.
Seems like the Dims want 98% of the Bush cuts continued ....
Now they're asking for Obamacare taxes to be delayed too ...
Think loopholes aren't a big deal? Google "made" $10B in Bermuda (no income taxes) last year!
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-10/google-revenues-sheltered-in-no-tax-bermuda-soar-to-10-billion.html
Raising rates won't get you anything with all those loopholes and deductions in there ...
It is time to vote grover norquist out just remember in next election, and of 12 new members that was elected they refused to sign it. Time to take back the government for the people by the people ,vote them out!
The GOP and Dems just don't get it. Do your damn jobs, quit bickering, do the taxes for the poor and middle class Americans and stop all this crap. We as Americans pay your salary's. I think at this point your pay should stop until this is worked out, not go home for the holidays unless this is all worked out. If not, NO PAY and NO GO HOME !!!!
Morep from Boehner. What is he offering, what cuts. Obama pushed for $1.4 trillion in revnue and Boehner can cime up with only half that? Why and how? What deductions are the repubs asking for? They never say. At least Obama is up front wanting to raise the tax rate a few points on the top 2%, but what specifically have the repubs offered? Nothing! I want Boehner to say the mortgage deduction, gone. The charitable giving deduction, gone. The state tax deduction, gone. The childcare benefit, gone. Let him say that this is what the gop really wants and let us decide who is putting it to us.
We seniors, worked, and earned our social security, it shouldn't even be on the table, i refuse to let some yahoo republican tea bag take what I earned. I also earned my medicare, and at 74 I need it now more than ever. Old Bonehead doesn't care about that at all, he wants to cut everything and I am glad Obama is holding out. Don't let republicans take what we earned. It is bad enough we are still in a war we didn't want or need, and now afganistan is saying that the US took away their security, hey, bring our people home and let the dang afganistanians take care of them selves. Stop sending our people into harms way. That should save us alot of money. The rich republicans don't want any one to touch their precious millions, they ought to be paying higher taxes, so that we who do not have can pay less. We need to get rid of mr. Bonehead, and all his fellow congressional bone heads, then maybe we can get out of this mess they put us in.
Most seniors receive far more than what they put in plus reasonable interest. How much do you really want to steal from your grandchildren? By the way, I am a senior too!