Saturday, October 12, 2013

Democrats Reject Republican Plan to Extend Borrowing for Six Weeks

At WSJ, "Pace Quickens on Budget Resolution: White House Rejects House GOP Plan to Extend Borrowing for Six Weeks, Argues for Longer-Term Talks."



And at the New York Times, "Impasse Grinds On as House Says Its Offer Was Rejected," and the Hill, "Boehner reports no progress as focus shifts to Senate plan":
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) said Boehner told members that there is "no deal" and "no negotiations" going on with the White House. The leadership is still waiting for more engagement from President Obama, Hudson said.

Conservative Rep Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) said they were told negotiations are stalled with White House.
"It's up to the Senate Republicans...the president rejected our deal," he said.

Asked if he had reason to hope for a resolution, Rogers said: "I don't see much reason."

The Collins proposal would set up longer-term budget talks between the House and Senate with a goal of reporting back by Jan. 15, 2014.

In exchange, Republicans are asking for minor changes to Obama's healthcare law that would include a two-year delay to a tax on medical devices. They would also ways to verify that people who get subsidies under ObamaCare are eligible to receive them.

In a Friday meeting at the White House, Obama did not embrace their competing plan, but it is clear that this is where the talks are now focused.

House Republicans expressed anger at the developments on Saturday.

“They are trying to jam us with the Senate and we are not going to roll over and take that,” House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said after the conference meeting. Ryan said he was headed back to his district and would not return until after the Columbus Day holiday on Monday.

There is growing pressure on Republicans to bend and agree to a deal given surveys showing their approval rating is tanking. They are also running out of time, as the Treasury Department says the debt ceiling will be reached in just six days.

On Friday, GOP lawmakers in both chambers said there was confusion and frustration about the party’s strategy.

"There's plates spinning everywhere. Everybody's now trying to work on this," said Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.), a member of House GOP leadership. "It's just confusing to try to figure out what's the deal that's actually getting traction."

Boehner would not comment on Friday. He spent about an hour eating Chinese food and kibitzing with fellow House Republicans in a smoke-filled room in the Capitol before departing for the evening.
Still more at Roll Call, "House GOP Talks With Obama Break Down as Both Look to Senate" (via Memeorandum).

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