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Updated 1:19 p.m. — A path toward resolving the impending the co-called fiscal cliff was suspended in limbo Friday following a dramatic defeat for House Speaker John Boehner, whose own rank-and-file members refused to support his backup plan Thursday night.
After conservatives balked at Boehner's "Plan B," which would have preserved current income tax rates for those making less than $1 million, the nation's top elected Republican shrugged off questions about whether his job was in danger. And as Washington prepares for a holiday break, Democrats and Republicans are further apart than ever on a plan to avoid the combination of tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to take effect in just 11 days.
And the Ohio Republican emerged Friday urging President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats to re-engage in talks toward an overarching deal toward resolving the fiscal cliff, the combination of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts (which fall heavily upon the defense budget) set to take effect on Jan. 1.
"I'm interested in solving the major problems facing our country," Boehner said at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "And that means House leaders, Senate leaders and the president are going to continue to have to work together to address those concerns."
With just 10 days until the nation goes over the so-called "fiscal cliff," lawmakers head home for the holidays. For the president, his stay in Hawaii will be a "working vacation." NBC's Kristen Welker reports.
In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., demanded that Boehner allow a Democratic proposal to extend tax rates for income under $250,000 to come up for a vote.
"There's nothing preventing the speaker from taking up our bill," Reid said Friday afternoon on the Senate floor. Boehner did say the House would "certainly take a look" at that bill, if the Senate manages to resolve a procedural holdup that would bar the House from considering the legislation. (Reid called that excuse "phony.")
But the speaker's task has become more vexing than ever; conservatives sent a powerful signal yesterday that they would not approve any tax increase, even on millionaires. Obama's demand that tax rates be allowed to rise for the wealthiest Americans amounts to a seemingly intractable standoff with House Republicans.
Boehner said that many lawmakers still prefer broad reforms to the tax code, but he acknowledged the difficulty in reaching any consensus: "How we get there? God only knows."
The president plans to work with Congress to prevent tax hikes and spending cuts that are expected to kick in on January 1 after House Republicans rejected a vote on House Speaker John Boehner's "Plan B" legislation. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.
The speaker seemed unconcerned, though, about the prospects for an uprising from fellow Republicans.
"No, I am not," Boehner said when asked directly whether he should be concerned about his position. "If you do the right things every day for the right reasons, the right things will happen."
Republican leaders dismissed House lawmakers for the holiday weekend after pulling the vote on Thursday evening. Boehner said they would be recalled to Washington "as needed." The Democratic-controlled Senate is currently scheduled to reconvene next Thursday, Dec. 27.
"It's too bad Speaker Boehner wasted a week on this futile, political stunt," Reid said. "It's time for the speaker and all Republicans to return to the negotiating table."
The intervening time period might allow for Boehner and Obama to reach an agreement, though its final approval in the House would almost certainly involve the speaker turning to Democrats for votes. That would strengthen Obama's ability to insist upon tax rates, spending cuts and entitlement reforms that hew more closely to the plan on which he campaigned for much of this year.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Boehner has "done his part. He's bent over backwards." As an alternative, the top Senate Republican proposed extending tax rates for a full year with instructions to enact tax reform in the meanwhile. (Democrats rejected it out-of-hand.)
For their part, Republicans said they would look to Obama for action on a path forward.
"I don't want taxes to go up, Republicans don't want taxes to go up," Boehner said. "But we only run the House; Democrats continue to run Washington."
McConnell said: "It's the president's job — it's his job — to find a solution that can pass the Congress."
In the meanwhile, Boehner said he remained committed to working toward a deal, and said he was not interested in giving up his position as speaker.
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The human cockroachs in the GOP/NRA are just sulking because they can't start another War.
It's time for the GOP/NRA to pick up their automatic weapons and F..off.
theEagle... don't want to question your genius there... but how can someone be a "human cockroach"? Don't they have to be one or the other? Just thinking maybe you were that dude in grade school sitting in class wearing the dummy cap picking his nose all the time...
Eaglet- No, that would be Owebamas job now. Libya, sending Patriot Missiles and troops to Turkey. Owebama is no pacifist himself. Your Avatar says is all. Which 1 are you? Dumb or Dumber
Bohner closes the other day with the Serenity Prayer - just think how much more serene he'd be if he actually knew what it meant, i.e., the courage and wisdom, neither of which he has.
I keep thinking it is too funny that NBC loads up the first pages of these comments with stupid pretend comments and hundreds of thumbs up clicks that appear at the same time the article is posted. And you can't reply to them. I thinks da fix is in here boss....
Bohner say "god only knows. Libbys say "God? What state is he from? we need to talk to him.'
Like Boner says "God only knows" and Boner knows NOTHINGS. I do have to give him credit, he cares only about the very rich and nothing about the middle and poor class citizens of our country. What a worthless but of sorry A$$E$ the repugs and teabaggers are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But you can blame the Owebamacare taxes right smack where they came from. We need to go over the cliff as there is no leadership in Washington with the nuts to make the hard decisions.
Well, surely is a Wonderful day! Nice weather Out Side, not much wind, beautiful day reading and looking at all your comments about the Fiscal Cliff. Just think? How long has IT taken for this government to get this country into the situation it is in now, and screwing over the PEOPLE! Do you all think things will change? DREAM ON! You all are bigger fools than I thought................ You all elect this people, and all they are going to do is keep on screwing you in the A**, you all have become the Governments BITCHES, AND DO NOT KNOW ANY BETTER................. MERRY FICA-FECES CLIFF-MAS, and a Higher Taxes YEAR TO ALL
Stopping the out of control spending will stop the problem!
Obama proposed a plan that would have made a 10 to 1 ratio in spending cuts to tax increases. Tea Party fanatics rejected it, thinking they could beat Obama at the polls and continue tax cuts for millionaires. McConnell acts as if he has no responsibility for coming up with ideas, other than the insane idea of keeping all tax cuts in place.
ralph-5591,
It's too late to stop the out of control spending which already occured. We are now solving the problem of paying off the deficit bill now due from the out of control spending that already occured. How about catching up to speed on the issue !!! Federal Deficit is the only figure that represents US Gov't spending. US Debt does not reflect Gov't spending. US Debt reflects all American citizens individual debt to Creditors, collectively. The Constitution does NOT give Gov't authority to limit individual American citizen decisions to purchase and owe from Creditors. It's called, "Capitalism", Fellas. Hello??? Why are you holding Gov't responsible for US Debt figures. It's ludicrous. Wall Street and all American citizens are responsible for US Debt figures.....end of subject.
Federal Deficit- FY 2009 (July 2008-July 2009) was $1.4 trillion as GOP leadership left white house 1-2009 after 8 years of unfunded Bush coporate tax cuts and two unfunded wars.
Federal Deficit- FY 2013 (July 2012- JUly 2013) is $901 billion after 4 years of Democrat leadership in white house with 12 years of Bush Coporate tax cuts and one funded war.
US Gov't spending has decreased by $499 billion in FY 2013 in comparison to FY 2009.
US Debt- FY 2013 (July2012- July 2013) is $16.8 trillion and counting........
case closed..........
Mike -
Can you point to any cuts?
I haven't been able to find anything other than the claim that they will cut back on future increases - those aren't cuts as there will still be deficit spending, adding to the debt. Real cuts would mean that we would actually try to live within the country's means.
Tammy-311614,
The $716 billion of entitlement cuts were already enacted (slashed) in 2012, by Obama, as confirmed in Paul Ryan's rejected budget figures to Medicare Advantage. My, are we having Romnesia??? In addition, Obama has offered $400 billion during Fiscal Cliff negotiations. This totals $1.16 trillion of entitlement cuts. Remember, cuts are defined as reductions in spending (either by reductions in Medicare benefits o-f beneficiary-Increase in Medicare premiums to Medicare beneficiary-elimination of fraud/waste Medicare Advantage s pending to Hospitals/Pharmaceutiacl Co's./ Insurance Co's.) of the targeted expenditure. In this case, it's Medicare that became the targeted expenditure by reduction of spending wi5th elimination of waste/fraud from Medicare Advantage ($716 billion with additional $400 billion).
Yet....the GOP continues lying while proclaiming to reject Obama's proposal based on his refusal to cut entitlements. Yea.....right...
The GOP called it a cut before the elections and pretends it isn't. But....too bad for the GOP....it's still a cut.........
Alll of this done by Obama with raising of revenue for those making over $400k per year is going to help the country better live within it's means........
God lives in Alaska...just ask BS Barbie.
So, please God, let Sarah and the Donald run for the evil bigots in 2016.
Heaven forbid the GOP 's leader is the worlds biggest loser. Boehner is the example of GOP failure ,he is supposed to lead ,maybe in a beer drinking contest but certaninly not in any way try to help this country move in a positive direction. If they had a trophy for incompetence Boehner would be a consistant winner. What a disgrace to be in the position that he holds.
When has Obama been a leader?
the GOPers will be holding the empty bag on this deal. God only knows? thats the answer from this jerk-off and his cohort, Eric the Judas cantor and the aging and senile McConnell? thats it folks, let God decide. This is their only answer to a solvable solution, however, their ideology anhd party affiliation makes them so vulnerable. grumpy old white men who cannot let loose of their power. how about we start with a 50% pay cut for all congressional members, 50% staff cut, and 50% medical and pension cuts? thats a good place to show sdome real sincerity. Naw, they are to fat for that and look at the pork attachments to the emergency hurrican funds that went into the relief bill and got passed!
No, there is no hope from this bunchy of disgusting men and women who continue to lead us to the cliff of no return.
pathetic bunch of cowards.
by the way, god is busy working with those who are starving each day, not those who eat three squares at the public expense!
God surely has better things to do than manipulate, for humans, what He gave them the power to manipulate for themselves. He is supposed to be resting after all that creation thing doncha know.
Hey good news for Boehner, his playoff bound Bengals beat Rush Limbaugh's Steelers and knocked them out of the playoffs.
This is important because.....?
The nutcases in the GOTP are only interested in the rich and the corporations. They don't give a @!$%# about the common person!
I truly hope that the POTUS sticks it up their ass! The GOTP IS FULLY TO BLAME!
Obama doesn't give a damn about the taxpayers!!! His only concern is the moochers, the takers, and those with their hands put asking for more, more, more!!
But he needs the top 2% to pay for all of this!!
hopeisgone (and so are your math skills),
Refer to post #834.2 above in answer to your statement. Since US Gov't spending has decreased by $499 billion for FY (July 2012- July 2013) 2013 in comparison to FY (July 2008- July 2009) 2009 according to US Gov't spending.com. It would seem this President cares more about the tax payers than the last President who clearly spent more. I don't think you kow what you're talking about. I just a statement without any basis strictly because you're Republican and refuse to confront the true spending/budget issues.......
This is fact....not fiction.
Boehner, we the American people say "Your Fired" Now here is some toilet paper, go wipe your face off and get cleaned up. You have 1% of something brown all over your lips.
Let's go over the cliff.............at least that way every side gets some of what it wants............ THEN, and ONLY THEN will both sides sit down to MEANINGFUL discussions as to what needs to be done to rectify the issue. MAYBE, like we have done throughout history, we all learn to live with the tax increases and spending cuts...........Like everything else in this country - it's news for a week then falls by the wayside and the citizens continue to go on their collective ways, day to day to make ends meet or hopefully improve their state in life.
Mr. Boehner should better state : Behind God we Hide to continue misdoings, instead of "only God knows where...".
It is amazing that the GOP and the NRA always hide behind God to defend their antiquated opinions, human and environmental abuse and wrongdoings. I surely hope God really exist, so he can take care of them through proper channels (being hunted down in Hell eternally??? )
14 Million people need a job! The economy needs to grow! The budget deficit needs to be paid off! We can spend money on everything, until it comes to these 14 million out of work Americans. Pay these people $800.00 per week for two years tax free. Take 10% from the top, and give that money to the states each week, then take another 10% from the top and apply it to the budget deficit! Require them to either work or train for work to receive this money, but pay taxes on any work they do,; This will stimulate the economy, stop all other subsidies, to them, unemployment food stamps, and all other for two years. This will create demand in the markets, manufacturing, retail, construction and it will increase the money paid into SS and medicare. The states will be able to balance their budgets, and hire workers creating more jobs and demand taking in 1,120,000,000 each week for two years, the same amount would be applied, to the budget deficit, each week for two years. This would save interest the country is paying on the budget deficit that would help fund this, along with the money saved by not giving these 14 million people any subsidies other than the $800.00 dollars minus 20% for two years.Later it could save more If any one of these 14 million people, were to apply for additional help. This would mean two solid years of growth, and would make it easier to cut waste and spending, without derailing the economy! I think this or something like this would work and help the country get back to a sustainable growth economy where everyone who will want to work can find work. some may not agree that's OK, but if you do not agree whats your plan? to me this makes more sense then what has been done four the last four years. They could add a penny tax on everything to expire when the budget deficit is paid off!
They are still the party of no. Next election they will be the party of no seats in congress.
The GOP is the anti-Christ party, full of money changers, hypocrites, and Pharisees that Jesus warned you about. They fleece their sheep with lies, hate and fear. And are about as far removed from the message of Jesus as atheist are.
This from the party of "murder 1.2 million defenseless babies a year"... funny....
Wow! Fedup, where did you come up with the 1.2 million figure? What imperical data can you provide that varifies your claim? Things aren't so simply because YOU say they are.
Boner now says that the president needs to come up with a bill that will pass in congress, In other words I don't have the gonads or ablity to do my job, so now its the presidents job. Hey Boner its your job to get a bill passed in the house, its the presidents job to either veto it or sign it into law. You have been in congress a long time to still not know what your job is.
Hey the House passed an extension of the tax cuts back in Aug. If Oblunder and Harry the Barrier want to hold the middle class hostage so that they can rape 2% of the population for 3 more % of income to pay for 8 days of Obamasquander, well, that show's how much they care for the middle class (zero). All they care about is fleecing everyone to pay for the deadbeat parasite vote....
Are you talking about that piece of crap Ryan put forth. Perhaps you are the problem.
I still say that we should just lock them all in the capital building and surround it with Marines with orders to shoot anyone who tries to leave until they get the job done.
To the Republicans "forward" is just a catch word used by Democrats. They like retro or stagnate better.
You liberals have been led by the nose and will soon see the mistake made by electing Santa Claus to a second term. The only reason Obama is still in office is because he bought votes from those that look to take from government and not give. If President John Kennedy was alive today, he'd be a Republican. Remember the "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" speech? Today's Democrats think that the rich are the only ones that have a responsibility to this nation. Obama has no plan to address out of control spending and entitlement programs that will collapse on their own unless drastic changes are made. Obama will be long gone and living a wonderful life regardless of the fact that his inaction in making the hard decisions required to avoid the collapse of these entitlement programs and reducing our national debt all the more painful.
Lanaiki Clown,
You mean Coporate tax cuts for Millionaires/Billionaires wasn't buying votes that Grover Norquist had soled???
1. JFK would not be a Republican if he was alive today because his surviving family members remain Democrats.
2. Requiring the rich to EQUALLY share taxation in comparison to the middle class doesn't entail a democratic Party wishing the rich take ONLY responsibility for this Nation.
3. There were no huge deficit before the 1980's. Even thouugh Medicare, Social Security, unemployment programs, deept of education, and welfare have all been in existence since FDR. There were NO huge deficits between the 1940's-1980's. Huge deficits did not start occuring until unfunded coporate tax cuts/unfunded wars began after the 1980's until present day. This being the case, the rich are, and shall remain primarily responsible for the deficits of today from those benefited Bills of legislation which they personally benefited.....history with mathematics prove this fact not to be fiction. For if it were the middle class/poor from the programs mentioned. Those deficits would've occured long before those unfunded coporate tax cuts/unfunded wars/dept of education programs from FDR's era.
case closed...........
Tony, I don't know whether you are a clown or not, but I do know the plan you and Obama have to fix our problems by taxing the so-cALLED RICH WILL DO NEXT TO NOTHING TO SOLVE THIS NATIONS OUT OF CONTROL DEBT. You just keep drinking the kool-aid the Dems are giving you and maybe you'll be gone before your children and grandchildren come asking you why you stood by while the nation just packed the debt on to them.
I suspect it makes no difference to you that the top 2% of the rich already pay 40% of this nation's taxes, and the top 10% pay 70% of those taxes. Main thing is you get to keep yours in your pocket. Now, whose the clown? I'm not rich, but I'd love to see every citizen in this country pay the same percentage of tax on any income they take in. I could care less as to whether that income comes fro a government welfare check or from a business. That is the American way. Now go get back in the government hand out line and teach your kids how it works. With incompetent citizens such as yourself, your kids will need all the "hold your hand out" knowledge they can get. The only thing closed regarding this is your brain. Keep drinking.
Tony, just reread your message and realized you are completely clueless regarding politics. President Kennedy's kids are Democrats because those were the coat tails on which they've lived their whole lives. Without the Democrats, they would be just like you and me. Now who in their right mind wants to be like us?
Your comparison of the current economic conditions to before the 80's shows you're never going to get it.
Lanikai Ron,
TY for confirming what I just said about the Kennedy's. As for what it means. In America, everybody is free to join what ever Party they feel represents thier views. I think I'll let you figure the rest out. You can fill in the blanks yourself.
Clue: If you plan to use a FOX talking point about the Kennedy's.....it will be a delsuional one.....
Lanikai Ron,
There is no cluelessness about what remains a matter of public record. Any matter of public record can be reviewed by yourself and myself, as citizens. You already know this to be true. So, save me the partisan bullsh#t.
The era of Social Security-Medicare-Unemployment-Dept of Education-Dept of Defense-what would later become welfare to work-and alledged bigger Gov't from the 1940's-1980's never witnessed any huge defcits....period. This isn't fiction....it's fact. It's purely mathematical poltical history on public record, Pal.
We, as a Nattion, NEVER witnessed any huge deficits until beginning of the late 1980's until present. Which by coincidence, is when certain Presidential administrations began providing US Gov't unfunded Coporate tax cuts and unfunded Wars.
Therefore, we can surmize what is "out of control"spending by noting what policies prompted which deficits based upon a historical timeline.
I don't think you're too stupid to undersatnd this. I just think you're too Partisan to admit it due to Party alligance for the GOP. But guess what, Pal? The Bill needs to be paid by those folks who most benefited from the ride (top 2%) the last 12 years. So just pay the bill and quit b*tching with lame rationalizations-justifications........
Lanikai Ron,
Your first homework assignment is to learn what the difference is between our Federal Deficit and our National U.S. Debt. Hint: Deficits and Debt are TWO different things. We may not like that this is true. But our dislike of facts does not change facts.
Your next homework assignment is to learn which one (deficit or debt) reflects US Gov't spending and which one reflects ALL individual American citizens debt to Wall Street, collectively, having nothing to do with US Gov't spending.
The American people have had enough! It is time to change the constitution and eliminate the current Congress!! Tne American people are the government and Congress does not represent us and continues to play politics and never accomplish anything except get rich off the people!
They do not deserve their pay and benefits. They want to cut the pay and benefits of the active military and retirees, and yet Congress continues to raise their pay! It is time to let these morons only serve one term and if they continue their BS, the people should demand they resign immediately. If we can't eliminate the Congress by changing the current structure, we should have them sign pledges for their first term that they will compromise and work for the benefit of the people and not their own selfish interests!!
The current BS by Congress is not work. I suggest that Harry Reid, Pelosi, Schummer, Boehner and others resign immediately until we can clear the BS gridlock right now! These imbeciles do not deserve to be representing the people. In addition, racists and biggots like Waters, Lucas and others need to be expelled immediately!!
we need some news men with guts to ask the law makers what they will chip in all this!! they are all over paid also Obama what will he chip in?? he is also over paid!! then go right on down to the state level, also all the fed's if ever one would take a pay cut from Obama on down there would be no problem!! but all the lawmakers want to do is cut social security not there own pay!! I could care less about the rich having there taxes raised!! they can aford it a lot better then I can!!!
Casey from Texas,
Obama chipped in $716 billion of Entitlement cuts eliminatiing Fraud/Waste to Hospitals/Pharamceutical Co's/Medicare Advantage as confirmed by listed savings within Paul Ryan's failed/rejected Budget Bill with an additional offer of $400 billion of entitlement cuts for a total of $1.16 trillion in entitlement cuts. A cut is ANY decrease in spending (Medicare recepient Benefits or decreased spending to Providers) of the particular entitlement target identified. In this case, it was Medicare.
What has Boehner and Republicans chipped in??? A failed proposal to continue Coporate tax cuts of the last 12 years for the top 2% of income earners bolstering Swiss Bank accounts instead of an entire American economy and an unemployment phase out??? But no vote on Middle Class tax cuts because of a Republican Congressional revolt???