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Rep. Sean Duffy, (R-Wis.), and Rep. Jason Altmire, (D-Pa.), on finding a solution to the fiscal cliff.
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-- continues we'll we'll both sides stop their posturing to get down to serious negotiations on the fiscal -- We -- joined from Washington by Republican congressman John Duffy and Democrat congressman Jason all -- Thank you for being with a gentleman Republican -- but -- I'd like to start with the -- Are Republicans truly willing.
To let -- go off the fiscal cliff.
If the Democrats insist on raising tax rates on the rich.
But didn't have to say is we're Republicans have -- want to put an honest -- table.
By doing some it is very hard put in revenue on -- table 800 billion dollars but also talking about cuts of one point four trillion.
What's -- tell -- the balance approach but the president -- -- mean this one point six trillion dollar tax increase with a fifty billion dollar stimulus plan.
Is a proposal that he's sent over the house in the senate last year's budget and Jason along with all -- the Democrats in the house and at a senate voted against it.
So -- gonna get a solution.
We both people willing to come the table and I'll -- negotiate.
The president is trying to play good politics instead of putting -- the policy and and listen I wanna get a plan that avoids the fiscal cliff going all right okay need an honest negotiate -- do it.
All right congressman Duffy I'm gonna try that again okay I'm asking and you did not answer sir.
-- the Republicans truly willing to let us go off the cliff rather than raise rates on people who -- over 200 K.
Are you truly want to do that.
Listen I think we have to look at how this unfolds I don't wanna see -- -- over the cliff I don't wanna -- tax rates go up.
But again I'm not sitting in the White House and I'm not sit on the senate -- -- -- can make sure that doesn't happen.
Believe it or not I'm gonna take that wrapped up they got them now now congressman -- -- -- the Democrats truly willing to let us go over the cliff if the Republicans refuse to raise rates on the rich.
I think there's a constituency.
-- on both sides Republican and Democrat.
That would be willing to see that happen for ideological as well as political reasons I think Sean and I both hope that that does not happen.
I think what -- said it's correct the Republicans did put forward.
A plane and it's a reasonable plan but look I got news Korea this is a negotiation they're not gonna get everything they want the Democrats are gonna get everything that they want.
So just put in the plan on the table when they criticize and the other side and walking away doesn't help anybody.
-- it sure doesn't seem to be a bipartisan approach there congressman Duffy.
How much of what were watching is just posturing and you guys both time no secretly worked out of reach a settlement.
And let's not think well we understand home how important is that we get a deal on us what you also have to take a step back in view.
What proposals are serious that -- put up by both sides and it might seem partisan.
But it's true I mean does the polls the president put out wasn't serious Democrats -- involved port in the house and senate.
We have been willing to come with Erskine Bowles a Democrat.
And take our framework that he put out and they got our own -- on the table.
And it's been a soundly rejected by the White House listen revenue should be revenue.
-- -- talk about doing away with loopholes or are raising tax rates our concern -- the next dollar earned.
To raise that rate stifles growth and the president two years ago agreed with its position that raising taxes was gonna stay for the economy.
Let's not affect growth but let's try to bring us more revenue what the loophole side he'll get the tax increase that -- all bug -- at all -- -- given that if we succeed in raising taxes on the rich it brings in about eighty billion a year.
And government is over spending its budget by one point one trillion a year.
Is -- raising taxes on the rich really just more about political punishment for the Democrats that they -- we won you lost without eating.
Now right on that point nine I can't tell you how -- -- Diane -- hear the Republicans continue to put out Erskine Bowles as their model and and the plan that was put forward.
Erskine Bowles in total in the plan recommended raising -- rates on the top bracket allowing them to expire so it's only take part of what he recommended and ignore the rest.
Is not consistent with the facts and there is a difference of opinion nobody wants to see their taxes go up that's a fact but we all want to reduce the deficit.
And if you look at where the tax rates were in the Clinton administration when we had the highest and most sustained economic growth in the history of the country.
That's where they would go to.
And maybe there's a compromise there where they wouldn't even go that high but to say that they're not going to expire at all we're gonna keep doing what we've been doing for the last twelve years that's an unsustainable position.
All right -- you know what I appreciate it congressman we've got to wrap up but I appreciate -- you both for coming on air together today thank you very much for being here and -- -- about it we need your help have a good run thank you -- Right -- what.
