Boehner: Tax Increases 'Unacceptable'

Today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) set the stage for a showdown on spending and taxes with newly re-elected President Obama. In an interview with ABC News, Boehner said it was “unacceptable” to raise tax rates as part of a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff. “Frankly, it couldn’t even pass the House,” he said. “I’m not sure it could pass the Senate.” Boehner left the door open to cutting tax loopholes:

I would do that if the president was serious about solving our spending problem and trying to secure our entitlement programs. If you’re increasing taxes on small-business people, it’s the wrong approach … Of course, we’ll talk about it. We talk about all kinds of things we may disagree on. “I’m the most reasonable, responsible person here in Washington. The president knows it. He knows that he and I can work together. The election’s over. Now it’s time to get to work.

Republican leadership thus far isn’t caving. And that’s a good sign for conservatives afraid of President Obama’s redistributionist agenda.