Pres. Obama speaks in the White House on the fiscal cliff crisis meeting
President Barack Obama just concluded a press conference in the White House today discussing the meeting he held with Congressional leaders to discuss the fiscal cliff crisis.
Obama said, “The hour for immediate action is here. It is now.”
The President explained that he held a “good and constructive meeting” today with Congressional leaders, and that he is ”optimistic we may be able to reach an agreement” that will pass Congress in time. He reiterated his interest in getting a ”bi-partisan bill out of the Senate and over to the House in a timely fashion.”
However, Obama did mention an alternative plan. ”If an agreement isn’t reached in time … I will urge Sen. Reid to bring to the floor a basic package for an up or down vote.” This basic package would include: not raising taxes on those earning under $250,000 per year, extending unemployment insurance, and laying the groundwork for additional deficit reduction.
“This is de-ja-vu all over again,” Obama said with a slight smile.
According to Obama, “…we are poised to grow in 2013″ as long as the politics don’t get in the way.
Related articles
- Obama Said to Plan Offer of Scaled-Back Budget Package Today – Bloomberg (bloomberg.com)
- Obama pushes for fiscal cliff breakthrough in White House talks (guardian.co.uk)
- LIVE: Obama And Big Congressional Leaders Are Set To Meet In A Last-Ditch Effort To Avoid The Fiscal Cliff (businessinsider.com)
- As fiscal cliff looms, leaders meet for last-ditch White House talks (firstread.nbcnews.com)
- Obama, congressional leaders give talks to avert fiscal crisis one last try (scooprocket.com)
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