Joint Committee: Republican Response

Boehner Rejects Democrat Proposal

He's not even on the Joint Committee, but "House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) acknowledged that the 12 member deficit Super Committee is having a hard time reaching consensus, and dismissed as unserious a Democratic proposal that would have reduced the deficit by nearly $3 trillion, split fairly evenly between cuts to entitlement and other federal programs, and new taxes.  'I’m not surprised that, you know, we’re having some difficulty,' Boehner told reporters at a Thursday Capitol briefing.  'Because this isn’t easy.  It’s going to be very hard.  But I do think it’s time for everyone to get serious about this.'"

"Democrats put forth an offer Tuesday that aides say was designed as a potential consensus package -- not a partisan Democratic proposal, but one that contained sacrifices for both sides.  Republicans responded with a smaller package comprised overwhelmingly of cuts to entitlement programs, and which generated some new revenue through government sales and fees, but not through targeted taxes.  Democrats regarded the offer as wholly partisan.  But whatever their intentions, the effect of each party rejecting the others’ plans may constrain future negotiations between two poles."

From Politico:  Competing supercommittee plans reveal chasm.

From The Sacramento Bee:  Boehner committed to 'supercommittee' success.

Still a "stalemate," if you're looking for winners and losers.  No consensus yet, if you're an optimist.  Fact is, there seems to be no hope for a deal.  Given that, one would think that they could start with what will happen "automatically" if they don't reach an agreement, and fine tune that.

For Your Information

"A new survey sponsored by a Democratic super PAC reveals that several Republican-held House seats could be competitive next year as Democrats look to gain 25 seats to take back the House of Representatives.  The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling on behalf of the Democratic super PAC, 'House Majority PAC,' shows 12 Republican incumbents in a vulnerable position heading into their reelection campaigns: fewer than 50 percent of voters in their districts would vote to reelect them."

The Republican Reality-Free Zone

Rep. Bishop Says Federal Control Of Public Lands Is Unconstitutional  "The House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks Chairman [emphasis added] Rob Bishop (R-UT) made a startling claim at a Republican conference late last week: current federal control of public lands is unconstitutional."  Fox in the chicken coop.

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