Republican leader, administration stand firm on major issues

Boehner, an Ohio Republican, said on “Fox News Sunday” that when Geithner outlined the administration’s proposal for him on Thursday, he looked at Geithner and said: “You can’t be serious.”

Geithner said on ABC’s “This Week” that although the two sides were “still some distance apart,” tax rates would have to go up for the wealthiest 2 percent of taxpayers. “That’s an essential part of any deal,” he said.

Under the administration’s proposal, tax deductions and exclusions for wealthy people also would be limited.

The White House proposal calls for about $1.6 trillion in additional revenue over the next 10 years, $600 billion in spending reductions and $200 billion in additional spending for unemployment insurance, mortgage relief and public works projects to stimulate the economy.

The administration also wants Congress to virtually relinquish authority over future increases in the debt limit. But Boehner said it was “silly” to think that Congress would give up that power.

If Congress does not act, next year would begin with a series of tax increases and spending cuts, the combination of which economists believe would jeopardize the economy.

Boehner said he had made concessions by announcing after the election that Republicans were willing to take a look at additional revenues. But he said increasing taxes on top earners would hurt small businesses and slow economic growth.

He also said he was determined to curb spending and solve the country’s debt problem.

When asked for an assessment of where things stood, Boehner said: “We’re nowhere. Period.”

“The president’s idea of the negotiation is ‘Roll over and do what I ask.’ He said.

But Geithner said the ball was now in the Republicans’ court. When they come back with a new proposal, he said the administration would consider it.

He said a certain amount of “political theater” was inevitable. “We’re actually making a little bit of progress, but we’re still some distance apart,” Geithner said.