White House rejects Boehner 'Plan B' with threat of tax hikes looming

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

The White House on Tuesday rejected House Speaker John Boehner's call for a fall-back option to avert the looming fiscal crisis, in a move the speaker's office said "defies common sense."

The feisty exchange came as both sides crept toward a possible middle ground in private talks. But underscoring the differences that remain, the White House resisted Boehner's bid to craft a "Plan B" just in case those talks fail to yield a compromise before a Jan. 1 deadline -- that's when taxes are set to rise on everyone, followed by a wave of spending cuts.

"Every income tax filer in America is going to pay higher rates come Jan. 1 unless Congress acts," Boehner said Tuesday morning, as he introduced his alternative plan.

Boehner called for taxes to rise only on households making more than $1 million. His plan also called for entitlement cuts and a tax reform debate next year.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, though, said it "doesn't ask enough of the very wealthiest in taxes and instead shifts the burden to the middle class and seniors," and cannot pass the Senate.

Within minutes, Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck fired back: "After spending months saying we must ask for more from millionaires and billionaires, how can they reject a plan that does exactly that?"

Buck accused President Obama of "moving the goal posts" and in the process "threatening every American family with higher taxes."

Boehner, with no less than his leadership standing on the line, is trying to walk a tightrope in negotiations as the president demands tax hikes that many Republicans adamantly oppose.

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On to Plan C and D then, boss?

[cudjo]

White house doens't have to worry, he'll give them everything they want and then some