Boehner pulls out of discussions of a potential $4 trillion debt deal over insistence on zero new taxes, says talks should focus on smaller deal.
The White House responds with new statement after the jump …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 9, 2011
Statement from White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer on Budget Negotiations
“The President believes that solving our fiscal problems is an economic imperative. But in order to do that, we cannot ask the middle-class and seniors to bear all the burden of higher costs and budget cuts. We need a balanced approach that asks the very wealthiest and special interests to pay their fair share as well, and we believe the American people agree.“Both parties have made real progress thus far, and to back off now will not only fail to solve our fiscal challenge, it will confirm the cynicism people have about politics in Washington. The President believes that now is the moment to rise above that cynicism and show the American people that we can still do big things. And so tomorrow, he will make the case to congressional leaders that we must reject the politics of least resistance and take on this critical challenge.”
