Lawmakers Aim For Deficit Deal As Deadline Looms
The Senate spawned the Gang of Six bargain on deficit reduction, but its ultimate test will come in the tax-averse House, where Republicans will have to muster a majority for it. Robert Siegel talks to NPR's Andrea Seabrook, who looks at attitudes in the chamber.
SIEGEL: Joining us now from Capitol Hill is NPR congressional correspondent Andrea Seabrook. And, Andrea, there were reports today that President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner were closing in on a major budget deal and then White House spokesman Jay Carney shot that story down. What, if anything, do we know about an eminent deal?
ANDREA SEABROOK: And what I've heard from lawyers - lawmakers themselves right now is that President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner did to get close to a deal, one that would cut more than $3 trillion over the next decade, but that it was quickly shot down by Senate Democrats. Apparently, when they heard about it today, they just blew up in a meeting with White House officials.
SIEGEL: What was so contentious about the deal that it lead to that?
SEABROOK: So, Democrats say the entire burden of the deal, you know, they don't want it to fall on the poor and elderly and sick. So they were angry about, you know, even the suggestion that this was close to a deal.
SIEGEL: Well, today the Senate is taking up the House Republican deficit reduction bill, which is known as Cut, Cap and Balance. It includes steep spending cuts, no new taxes. How weighted are House Republicans to their pledge not to raise taxes?
SEABROOK: You know, it really seems like conservative Republicans, especially those who are new to Congress, that big class of freshmen with ties to the Tea Party, Robert, they seem to be saying, essentially, you know, here's our plan, take it or leave it. But today, Speaker John Boehner addressed that in a press conference.
JOHN BOEHNER: Well, I'm sure we've got some members who believe that, but I do not believe that would be anywhere close to the majority. At the end of the day, we have a responsibility to act.
SEABROOK: I don't know if you could hear that. He said, that's not close to the majority of Republicans. And it does seem like the closer we get to August 2nd, and that's just 12 days away now, the more I hear Republicans saying, yes, we have to act.
SIEGEL: Well, what if acting required some support from House Democrats? Would they have any votes there for a deal?
SEABROOK: Well, they're certainly going to need every vote they can muster up, that's for sure. I mean, if there is a deal, it's going to be a serious heave to get it through the House. And Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said today that they are preparing themselves.
NANCY PELOSI: I think we have some of the pieces. It's not going to be mysterious as to what ends up in a final product. It's just a question of how big it is.
SEABROOK: Right now, how big it is seems to be defined by whether they can agree on that revenue and tax cut problem that's still sticky.
SIEGEL: Now, back to all those whispered conversations you wish you could record for us. What are the rank and file members on both sides telling you?
SEABROOK: Well, yeah, huddled together, whispered, what they tell me they won't say on tape, but there's - 'cause they're scared they'll tank a possible deal. But they say that they know something's got to give before August 2nd, and it's just maneuvering around these last sticky details.
SIEGEL: Last sticky details, but some of the things that they're giving on are big principles with their base constituencies.
SEABROOK: Well, if they give on those. I mean, you know, it's the same problem. It's sort of when you fundamentally disagree on such a basic level, how do you massage it? And that's where they are.
SIEGEL: Thank you for talking with us.
SEABROOK: My pleasure.
SIEGEL: That's NPR congressional correspondent, Andrea Seabrook.
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