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Rep. Adam Schiff, (D-Calif.), and Rep. John Campbell, (R-Calif.), on coming to an agreement on spending cuts.
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All right died because we get -- this fiscal cliff here both sides agreed to get serious take the fight behind closed doors no more leaks.
But we have -- the house speaker how will update us on the talks within the hour from the house floor so we'll see what speaker Boehner has to say but.
Joining us right now California democratic congressman.
-- -- and Republican congressman John -- they both join us congressman -- let me begin with -- would you vote if there's an agreement for whatever the president agrees with.
Speaker Boehner on.
Well I don't give anyone a blank check sew up the suits in the final package but I think it's gonna be fairly close to what the president has proposed.
And that is a balanced plan that will increase revenues by.
Raising the rates and upper income families of but at the same time agreeing to substantial spending cuts because the reason -- balanced and that way I would certainly expect the -- but I don't wanna sign.
And anything without seeing -- -- turned up and I wanna.
Ask -- -- -- started by asking that question.
Congressman Campbell is because I'm sure it's frustrating to members of congress and really not be involved in this is about you guys behind closed doors.
Which may be more efficient way out of -- upcoming -- agreement but what about from your side and it.
-- the speaker have the -- seemed to give -- and say gives in on tax rates for example.
We don't know and as as you suggested you can't have.
218 or 435.
Or 535.
People in a room trying to negotiate so this is the way -- kind of have to do it.
Is one on one but in the end.
The speaker that has one vote.
And he needs 217 other people in the house and sixty people in the senate.
To make that deal become law and actually bring that deal -- OK I don't think there's any guarantees on it either way.
Follow up -- you congress -- -- -- sort of back to congress -- shift what it cannot be in this deal what's the deal breaker for you from the Republican side.
If there is not any entitlement significant.
And rapid entitlement reform right this is what what this is about in my opinion is the deficit it is not about taxes the deficit will bring this country down.
We're not talking about tax I don't think the tax increases are -- good idea I don't think they'll reduce the deficit much.
But Adam and my democratic colleagues disagree that that's what they want that's fine.
But in the end we have to put together something that will make a significant reduction as deficit we can't do that without impacting the major -- right.
So how much can you then congressman -- stomach on that.
Ended that because that's what it's gonna come down to -- -- -- the president.
Put a plan on the tables been counted since by the Republicans but it only had.
-- only because the Republicans want more a threat to 5400 billion dollars -- these Medicare cuts you have to keep.
To get a dealing may have to -- more than that how much can you stomach.
Well portfolio I don't think it makes sense to even have Social Security on the table so I think that is a deal breaker for most Democrats.
-- security and get us into this problem it's not response we're getting us out of this problem.
But the president has proposed to make savings in Medicare and it -- of course.
The question is how will those be obtained I think if we could reduce the costs of health care.
Reduce the cost of the Medicare system that something Democrats may be able to embrace but if it's just the Republicans trying to get a pound of flesh.
Out of middle class seniors by going after their health benefits under Medicare.
That's a non starter -- so a reduction of benefits is problematic but up finding additional savings like we did.
In the Affordable Care Act on the Medicare that's something that certainly could be entertain.
Let me just -- confidence and on both sides of the congress to -- when you go first this time not what odds would you give it -- that.
We'll get something done not necessary before Christmas doesn't matter -- -- at least by the end of the year before -- for the new year.
I you know I'm I'm very confident that we're gonna over -- the fiscal cliff OK I think the only issue is how much of this are we gonna get done or we gonna.
-- just solve the immediate problem and -- the rest of the can down the road.
I hope we do more than that but we're not gonna go over the -- becoming more more likely I think as we get closer just because of logistics of the congressman.
Campbell.
I'm not at all confident actually and -- and and just hearing what -- -- doesn't.
Not make -- any more confident you know you want to -- Medicare leave it alone.
Because it is on schedule to wreck itself -- very very soon we have to reform it to say that.
And when I hear these get this kind of stuff that like we're trying to push for any over the cliff that's absolute garbage and that is not gonna make a deal.
If we want to make a deal make something happen here we have to reduce the deficit.
And you have to reduce the deficit by reforming Medicare Medicaid and yet -- security.
You have to deal of all of them and when I hear my democratic colleagues -- not know we're just gonna.
Increase taxes in -- month and maybe we'll do something with Medicare.
Ten years away for fifteen years away that is not gonna work at least not gonna work within our -- We're gonna wrap it up for today but it's interesting to hear this discussion out because remember this.
The deals about two minutes about the speaker the president of the votes to get it approved you're about.
-- like you just heard from congressman Schiff and congressman Campbell thanks to both of you.
Thank you.
