House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) rejected Thursday a Democratic proposal that would cut $1.3 trillion from the federal deficit based solely on revenue increases.
Democrats who serve on a 12-member super committee tasked with reducing the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion before the Thanksgiving holiday privately proposed a plan that would cut $3 trillion from the deficit, $1.3 trillion coming from taxes.
“This is the same number that was in the president’s budget, the same number that I don’t know if they found any Democrats in the House and Senate to vote for,” Boehner said. “I don’t think it’s a reasonable number.”
Despite his disapproval, Boehner reiterated the point that he, along with the Republican Party, will remain committed to reaching a deal before Nov. 23.
“I’m not surprised that we’re having some difficulty, because this isn’t easy,” Boehner said. “It’s going to be very hard, but I do think it’s time for everybody to get serious about it.”