President Obama as he arrived back at the White House last Thursday. He returned from vacation in Hawaii to resume talks on taxes and deficit reduction.
President Obama as he arrived back at the White House last Thursday. He returned from vacation in Hawaii to resume talks on taxes and deficit reduction.
Alex Wong/Getty ImagesPresident Obama told the nation this afternoon that an agreement to prevent most Americans' taxes from rising at midnight is "within sight," but not yet done.
In an update on the talks aimed at avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff, the president also said that Democrats and Republicans are still not in agreement on spending cuts. But, he said, "it may be that we can do it in stages."
As we've been reporting, there have been signs today of progress in the talks â€" which are now being led by Vice President Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The so-called fiscal cliff is the midnight arrival of automatic tax increases, automatic spending cuts and the end of some unemployment benefits (all deadlines put in place by lawmakers back in 2011 during previous deficit-reduction and debt-ceiling negotiations).
We updated as the president spoke.
Update at 1:55 p.m. ET. Can Accomplish Most Important Goal:
Toward the end of his comments, the president says the primary goal of the talks now is to "stop taxes going up for middle class families starting tomorrow." That is, he says, "a modest goal we can accomplish."
And he jokes that "if there's even one second left before you have to do what you're supposed to do," members of Congress "will use that last second."
Update at 1:52 p.m. ET. Another Hint About Solving This In Steps:
The president talks about the automatic spending cuts set to kick in at midnight and speaks in the future tense: "Any agreement we have to deal with automatic spending cuts ... those also have to be balanced. ... Revenues have to be part of the equation in turning off the 'sequester.' "
Update at 1:48 p.m. ET. Solution "In Stages":
Hinting that there won't be a deal that covers every aspect of the fiscal cliff, the president says "it may be we can do it in stages."
Update at 1:46 p.m. ET. Agreement Is "Within Sight," But Not Done:
"I do need to talk about the progress that's being made in Congress today," Obama says. An agreement is "within sight ... but it's not done."
Update at 1:42 p.m. ET. Starting Shortly:
A group of people â€" likely to be described by the White House as Americans who would benefit from a deal to avoid going over the "cliff," have gathered behind the podium from which the president will speak.
Update at 1:25 p.m. ET. Expect To Hear "Outlines" Of A Deal?
On the NPR broadcast, correspondent John Ydstie just said it's now believed the president will announce the outlines of a deal. As correspondent Julie Rovner added, the plan will still need to be voted on in both the House and Senate and that might not happen until after midnight. But John noted that Congress could let provisions go into effect retroactively. That is, the federal government might technically go over the "fiscal cliff," but be pulled back up later by legislation.
Here's one of our earlier updates:
11:30 a.m. ET. Outlines Of A Deal On Taxes?
"On taxes, one of the thorniest issues on the table, the two sides appeared to be converging. President Barack Obama has called for raising individual income-tax rates on family income above $250,000. In the latest round of Senate talks, Republicans proposed a $550,000 threshold, which Democrats moved to $450,000, according to Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.)."
"McConnell and Biden, who served in the Senate together for 23 years, are closing in on an agreement that would hike tax rates for families who earn more than $450,000, and individuals who make more than $400,000, according to sources familiar with talks. That would mark significant concessions for both men, particularly for McConnell. President Barack Obama campaigned on raising taxes for families who make more than $250,000, but McConnell has long been dead-set against any tax increases, warning they would jeopardize the economy."
As the Journal adds, though:
"Before noon on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said on the Senate floor that discussions continue, but he also warned 'we really are running out of time,' adding that 'There are a number of issues on which the two sides are still apart.' "
