President Obama, calling himself a “hopeless optimist,” said Friday he still believes that Congress can pass a deal to avert the approaching “fiscal cliff,” and he urged both parties to craft at least a minimal package that he can sign into law before Jan. 1.
Appearing in the White House briefing room after a day of recriminations over failure to reach a deal, Obama said: “As of today, I am still ready and willing to get a comprehensive package done.” He said he remains committed to the goal of reducing the deficit, whether it is done “all at once” or in separate steps.
But with time running out, Obama called on Congress to work on at least a package that prevents tax rates from rising on 98 percent of Americans, protects unemployment insurance and “lays the groundwork for deficit reduction.” He said he has asked congressional leaders to come up with a plan to be voted on next week and that he can sign into law by year end.
“That is an achievable goal that could be done in 10 days,” Obama said. “Call me a hopeless optimist, but I actually still think we can get it done,” he added later. “Because we didn’t get this done, I will see you next week.”
“Nobody gets 100 percent of what they want,” Obama said, implicitly acknowledging that a grand bargain that reduces the deficit is unlikely to be forged in the next 10 days. “This is not simply a contest of parties between who looks good and who doesn’t.”
Obama said he hoped the time off for the holidays would give lawmakers cooler heads.
“I offered to compromise with Republicans in Congress,” he said. “I met them halfway on taxes, and I met them more than halfway on spending.” Obama said he was also hoping that congressional leaders would come up with a plan to achieve a larger amount of deficit reduction next year.
The White House later announced that Obama and the first family would depart for Hawaii “this evening.” It said he does not have any public events scheduled there and made no mention of when he would return.
Before he spoke, Obama met with Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) at the White House, and he talked on the phone with House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).
Earlier Friday, Boehner sought to shift responsibility to Obama and the Democratic-controlled Senate to reach an agreement to avert a series of spending cuts and tax hikes after his fellow Republicans delivered a stunning rebuke to Boehner’s own plan to raise taxes on those making more than $1 million.
In a morning news conference about 14 hours after he abruptly canceled a vote on his proposal, known as “Plan B,” Boehner vowed to continue negotiating with the White House to avert the “fiscal cliff.” He said his plan failed because many of his fellow Republicans simply did not want to be perceived to be raising any taxes.
Boehner said he continues to favor a grand bargain with the president that would set the stage for a dramatic overhaul of the tax code and significant changes in federal entitlement programs.
“How we get there, God only knows,” he said.
Obama calls on Congress to craft at least a minimal ‘fiscal cliff’ deal
This article
Obama calls on Congress to craft at least a minimal ‘fiscal cliff’ deal
can be opened in url
https://newshorsebox.blogspot.com/2012/12/obama-calls-on-congress-to-craft-at.html
Obama calls on Congress to craft at least a minimal ‘fiscal cliff’ deal
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar