Obama rebukes GOP on debt talks

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

In a blistering rebuke of Republicans, President Barack Obama on Wednesday pressed lawmakers to accept tax increases as part of a deal to cut the nation’s deficits and avoid a crippling government default. “Let’s get it done,” Obama challenged, chiding Congress for frequent absences from Washington.

Senators from Obama’s own Democratic Party quickly said they’d consider canceling next week’s July 4 recess to work on a possible agreement. Republicans were already saying they’d better.

In a White House news conference, Obama offered one fresh wrinkle to try to give the economy and pessimistic voters a lift, calling on Congress to pass a one-year extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut that employees got this year. But he used most of the hourlong session to try to sway public opinion his way on the debt debate consuming Washington.

Obama accused Republicans of intransigence over tax increases, comparing their leaders to procrastinating children and painting them as putting millionaires, oil companies and jet owners ahead of needy students.

The Republican House Speaker, John Boehner of Ohio, shot back that the president was ignoring reality.

“His administration has been burying our kids and grandkids in new debt and offered no plan to rein in spending,” Boehner said as the day’s events seemed only to entrench both sides. “The president is sorely mistaken if he believes a bill to raise the debt ceiling and raise taxes would pass the House. The votes simply aren’t there.”

Obama insisted he wouldn’t support a deal to cut the deficit unless it includes higher tax revenue, not just spending cuts. Republicans have refused to consider that.

The stalemate threatens to derail an extension of the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt limit, which in turn could lead the government into an unprecedented default.

“They need to do their job,” Obama said of Republicans. “Now’s the time to go ahead and make the tough choices.”