Boehner Says He Expects 'Whale of a Fight' With Obama Over Taxes in Lame Duck Session

[Sandra]

Boehner Says He Expects 'Whale of a Fight' With Obama Over Taxes in Lame Duck Session
Source: FOX
URL Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201 ... cts-whale-fight-obama-taxes-la
Published: Nov 4, 2010
Author: FOX

The new presumptive House speaker, Rep. John Boehner, told Fox News on Thursday he expects a "whale of a fight" over taxes and spending with President Obama and his Democratic allies
during the lame duck session that convenes later this month.

The comment came on the same day the White House said it is open to temporarily extending the Bush tax cuts to all Americans, a compromise
with Republicans who want to permanently extend them for all.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News' Bret Baier, Boehner said he's not sure a deal will be worked out during the final two months Democrats
control the House.

"We're not in control," Boehner said. "And I've not been party to any of these conversations. I'm for extending all of the current tax rates for all Americans."

But as Obama and Republicans sought to find common ground in the face of a new political order that will divide power among the parties, Boehner rejected the
notion that gridlock is good.

"The American people want us to find common ground," he said. "And I'm hoping that the president heard what the American people had to say the other night."

Republicans captured the House Tuesday by winning more than 60 seats, the biggest party turnover in more than 70 years. Republicans also cut
into the Democratic majority in the Senate.

That outcome means both parties will have to work together to get any legislation passed. Boehner said he told the president Wednesday that he's willing to work
with him on free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.

Boehner also repeated his vow to repeal the new health care law, the president's signature accomplishment.

"We are going to repeal Obamacare and replace it with common sense reforms that will bring down the costs of health insurance," he said.

Asked why not seek a compromise when repealing health care is unrealistic with Democrats still controlling the White House and Senate,
Boehner said the issue is about "the greatest health care system in the
world" and about jobs.

"And if you look at all of the requirements on employers, you can understand why they're not hiring new employees, because we've raised the cost of employment," he said.

"Beyond repealing Obamacare, we're going to do everything we can to stop this bill from being implemented, to make sure it never happens,"
he said. "And, frankly, if we're successful, this will become the number
one issue in the presidential election."

Boehner said Republicans have "a lot of tricks up our sleeves in terms how we can dent this, kick it, slow it down to make sure it never happens."

"And trust me, I'm going to make sure this health care bill never ever is implemented," he said.