Same partisan rancor, divide greets new fiscal talks and deadlines

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

The back-and-forth between Washington Democrats and Republicans over the past few days suggests the partisan rancor that largely defined the last Congress – and most specifically the fiscal talks – will continue when lawmakers resume talks later this month on the debt ceiling.

While President Obama and Republican leaders have made public statements about whether spending cuts will be part of negotiations on the debt ceiling, the sides battled face to face on the issue Sunday.

Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan told “Fox News Sunday” that Democrats got the revenue increases they wanted before Congress adjourned but won’t come through on promised federal spending cuts when lawmakers try to address other fiscal problems before their deadlines hit over roughly the next eight weeks.

“There are no cuts in there,” Jordan said. “It’s the same old, same old. … These are promises from politicians.”

Much of the debate has focused on Obama saying cuts would not be part of the debt ceiling debate, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell saying the president must include discussions on spending cuts during the debates.

Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, told “Fox News Sunday” that McConnell’s “line in the sand” is going to be a “recipe for more gridlock.”

Jordan argued that McConnell is “exactly right.”

“This is crazy,” Jordon added as he and Van Hollen repeatedly talked over each other for several minutes.

“Aw, goodness,” Van Hollen muttered at the end of their debate.

McConnell on Sunday appeared to take his argument a step further, saying more tax increases will not be part of the new talks.

“The tax issue is over, finished completely,” the Kentucky senator said on ABC’s “This Week.” “That’s behind us now. The question is: What are we going to do about the biggest problem confronting us and our future.”

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Back to bickering as usual...