Top Democrat: Boehner's "fiscal cliff" remarks "a good first step"

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

As Washington turns its attention from the elections to the "fiscal cliff," a top Democratic senator said today that he is "heartened" by the remarks of House Speaker John Boehner about his willingness to increase revenue as part of deficit negotiations, calling it "a good first step."

"I was heartened, very heartened by the tone that Speaker Boehner showed yesterday in his remarks," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., according to The Hill newspaper. "He basically said the president won the election and he should lead. He basically said that he is open to revenues, which many in his own party disagree with."

In a speech on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Boehner said he is willing to work with President Obama and his Democratic colleagues in the Senate to avert the "fiscal cliff," which is a series of automatic budget cuts and tax hikes set to go into effect at the beginning of the year that would alter the structure of the economy too quickly, analysts say. Boehner said Congress should use the pending "fiscal cliff" as an opportunity for a down payment on broader budget reform to be enacted next year.

The House Speaker also signaled a slight shift from his previous position, Boehner also said he is "willing to accept some additional revenues" in a broader deficit reduction agreement that included tax reform.

"You can't expect the Speaker to turn on a dime in 24 hours and embrace everything, higher taxes, higher taxes on the wealthy, but I think privately that he's seen the handwriting on the wall and it makes me very hopeful that we can do something big in the next month and a half. It's a good first step," Schumer said at a breakfast with reporters Thursday.

A lame duck Congress returns next week to address unfinished business. As the "fiscal cliff" is a compilation of Congress' most pressing matters, lawmakers can either set in place a temporary, short-term fix; enact comprehensive reform that alters spending, entitlement programs and taxes; or do nothing.

An aide to a Senate Democratic leader told CBS News that congressional leadership will likely follow President Obama's lead. The aide expects the president to convene meetings to set up a process for negotiations soon.

When speaking to his colleagues via conference call Wednesday, Boehner reasserted a previously expressed sentiment that a lame duck Congress should not tackle comprehensive budget reform but pass a "bridge" to provide the newly elected 113th Congress with the time to work out on the broader structural problems with the budget and deficit.

Maya MacGuineas with the coalition Fix The Debt said any "bridge" would be acceptable provided the lame duck Congress  also include parameters that include a timeline and process for a broader deficit reduction deal.

"They need to make this the first credible step," she said in a teleconference with reporters. "Anything seen as a punt could really destabilize markets."

MacGuineas bluntly added that a deal is going to be difficult: "A $4 trillion debt deal is going to be filled with policies no one likes."

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Notice you never hear a republican or their supporters complaining about corporate welfare to private industry. They just hate the thought of government of the people, by the people, for the people, helping the people. So hypocritically stupid.

[Annoying_Apple]

If everyone who wanted a $$$ handout had to pick up a broom and sweep a school hallway and cafeteria, or patch a hole in a road, or clean a bathroom or anything--actually do WORK--to get the government handouts, we would have a much smaller group of people asking for handouts.

[Annoying_Apple]

I can't explain why people are so darn lazy, but I still think this country needs a BALANCED Budget Amendment, with only a few special exceptions for emergencies.

[nearl451]

I would appreciate this more coming from someone other than Schummer.

Chuck insisted on being fully engaged with these budget negotiations earlier in the year and is great with political posturing weekly for political benefit.

He is rather like the liberal mirror image to Lindsay Graham.....I know bcause I am the epitome of liberal.

There have to be some brave representatives that are willing to commit political suicide to achieve a working agreement to address this issue. It will take nothing less. The President can take some risk because he can't be elected again. Have to find a dozen or so others that are not so beholden to immediate interests. Simpson-Bowles needs to be considered and eased in.

[sjc_1]

Republicans can not foot drag and obstruct for four more years, so I expect them to work with us or lose BIG time in 2014. Since they do not want to be beaten with a stick next time around, they just might tell the Tea Party to sit down and shut the heck up!

[Annoying_Apple]

I agree with you 100%. If anyone becomes the party of NO this time around, they will get kicked out for good. I am FED UP with the gridlock, and there's no excuse for it.

Let's get some compromise and have both sides move to a true moderate position, and America will be better off.

[tiredofliberals]

OR If nothing changes as Obama promised then Republicans will take over all 3 branches

[getcentered]

It's time the media does it's job. It's time to dispel this notion that raising taxes on rich people is somehow going to crash the economy or destroy jobs. It's nonsense!!

Tax cuts for rich people has nothing to do with jobs, in fact after more than a decade of tax cuts for rich people the jobs market has only broken even from the 2006 collapse. There is just no proof that raising taxes is going to hurt anyone, but there is proof that it can reduce our deficit. If Republicans are truly serious about reducing our deficit than they are going to have to consider raising taxes on rich people.

I am am very interested to know what it is to be a Republican. What do they stand for?

Now, I am perfectly familiar with the grandiose slogans of freedom and liberty that Republicans keep repeating to the public, but when you look at exactly who they fight for it is pretty much only people who make lots and lots of money. How is it that so many people vote for so many Republicans who only really represent the few? I think it's because Republicans of today are really good at making people angry and then telling them that it's the government's fault.

Tell you what America, most Americans don't make lots and lots of money.
So how is it that there are so many Republicans when all they care about is protecting tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires who don't need them? Republicans say that Democrats are asking too much to raise taxes on people making even $500,000 per year.

Think about that. How many people we know make that much money? Hardly anybody?
Based on the percentage of the citizenship they represent Republicans have no business holding a majority in any political body.

I think it's time America and the media hold Republicans accountable until they start showing that they are mature and responsible enough to hold positions of leadership.

[sjc_1]

Clinton ran a surplus then Bush could not wait to give it all away to the rich. They made up the lies about jobs and prosperity. The only ones that got more prosperous were the rich. It was nothing but a con job and the Democrats in Congress fell for it.

[Annoying_Apple]

Get Centered, you are 100% correct!

[grandfatherdizzy]

This is precisely what's wrong with America today. It was less than a year ago in the process of raising the debt limit these automatic cuts and tax increases were to take effect. Now what. The law has not even been implemented and the rats are scattering for compromise. What! Where is the American backbone? We turned into a bunch of whimps. Let the chips fall where they may. If we go into the tank, we'll just have to suck it up. Life is not fair. Not everybody can be winners. Come on America. We are better than that. I'm sick and tired with all the interest groups (Poor folks and rich corporations) that are on the government %$#. Can any body explain why we are so darn lazy.

[2old2kare]

It's easy to understand, with the advent of free money(we keep printing all we need) all the politicians are afraid of getting blamed for the debt crisis and will do anything they have to ( kick the can down the road) so that they don't look responsible.
They are responsible and now that the populace has gotten a taste of free money they will always want more and more. these social programs that keep people from working by rewarding non performance are dragging our economy down and will surely be the death toll of American prosperity and freedom.
Can anybody say Greece is in fine shape- no well that is the USA in 3 to 5 years. It is inevitable---we are screwed--so party like its 1929!

[sjc_1]

Greece has a problem because the rich get away without paying their share of taxes. Bush allowed the same to happen here then we ran $6 trillion in debt.