WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will meet Friday with the top leaders in the House and Senate, several hours past the deadline for averting automatic budget cuts, to discuss how to proceed on divisive tax-and-spend issues.
Because the meeting is set to take place well after Friday's deadline for the so-called sequester to kick in, it appears both sides are operating under an assumption that a deal to avert the cuts ahead of the deadline is now out of the question.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the session will focus on ways to reduce government spending, but he also said he will not back down on his opposition to any new revenues. McConnell, along with House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, will attend meeting at the White House.
"We can either secure those reductions more intelligently, or we can do it the president's way with across-the board cuts. But one thing Americans simply will not accept is another tax increase to replace spending reductions we already agreed to," said McConnell, R-Ky.
The meeting reflects a move to jump start negotiations after weeks of inaction on cuts that both parties have said could inflict major damage to government programs, the military and the economy at large. No serious talks to avert the cuts have been under way, and Friday's meeting will be the first face-to-face discussion between Obama and Republican leaders this year.
Comments
This meeting is scheduled to take place unless Obama can get a Friday tee time. Have you ever seen a man try to govern everything as a crisis, either right up to the deadline or past the deadline. He is the president and this mess has to fall in his lap all due to his lack of leadership. When he can't tax he is clueless.
> > how to proceed on divisive tax-and-spend issues. < <
The tax issue was resolved but apparently Obama was not paying attention, again.
I like the idea, let the cuts take effect. When the general public doesn't feel any ill effects maybe people will realize that cutting spending is not the apocalyptic end that Mr. Obama would like people to think it is.
its funny.
The good years under Clinton the repubs give credit to The House of Repubs. The collaspe of the economy under Bush was not Bushes Fault. But now, EVERYTHING is Obama's Fault.
Come on peple. They are all responsible, The Pres. the Leaders in the House and Senate.
WE NEED TO KEEP THEM ALL ACCOUNTABLE.......