In a budget fight where both Republicans and Democrats are divided along rigid ideological lines, neither side is making concessions.
House Speaker John Boehner responded Wednesday afternoon to President Obama’s earlier remarks that Republicans need to give in on tax increases in budget negotiations.
In a statement, Boehner said the president is “sorely mistaken” if he thinks a deal with tax increases can pass the House.
“The votes simply aren’t there – and they aren’t going to be there …” Boehner said.
“The new majority in the House is going to stand with the American people,” he added. Boehner also laid out clear criteria for a deal that could pass the Republican-controlled House: spending cuts that exceed the debt limit increase, long-term solutions for reining in spending, and no tax increases.
“The longer the president denies these realities, the more difficult he makes this process,” Boehner said. “If the president embraces a measure that meets these tests, he has my word that the House will act on it. Anything less cannot pass the House.”
President Obama discussed the debt limit Wednesday morning during a press conference, and placed the impetus on Congress to reach a deal before the August 2 deadline. (Obama chides GOP for not giving up ‘sacred cow’)
He also called out Republicans for stalling negotiations to defend tax breaks for oil companies and “corporate jet owners.”
The GOP’s stance, said Obama, “is not sustainable.”