–Senate Minority Leader Invokes Images of Classic Film To Scorch Dems
–Sen. McConnell: Democratic Tax Plan Would Lead To A ‘Calamity’
–Senate Majority Leader Reid Says GOP Not ‘Serious’ About Legislating

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – Embracing images from the world of film to
hammer Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Thursday
accused Senate Democrats of embracing “Thelma and Louise economics” by
threatening to allow the nation to go over the so-called fiscal cliff at
the end of the year unless Republicans agree to a deficit reduction
package that includes additional revenues.

In remarks on the Senate floor, McConnell continued to blast Senate
Democrats who have toughened their stance on the fiscal cliff this week.

The fiscal cliff refers to the convergence of three fiscal events
later this year or early next year: the expiration of Bush era tax cuts,
across-the-board spending cuts, and increasing the statutory debt
ceiling.

Sen. Patty Murray, the fourth ranking Senate Democrat, said Monday
Democrats would like to reach a budget agreement with Republicans to
avoid the fiscal cliff, but said they will not accept an agreement that
does not include concessions from Republicans that has additional
revenues.

Murray said that Democrats should be willing to let the nation
plunge off the so-called fiscal cliff unless Republicans are willing to
agree to additional revenues as part of a larger deficit reduction plan.

In his remarks Thursday, McConnell said increasing any taxes under
current economic circumstances would cause a “calamity” that would sweep
the American and global economies.

He accused Democrats of launching an “ideological crusade” by
opposing the extension of all Bush-era tax cuts, including those on the
wealthy, adding that this strategy is tantamount to playing “Russian
roulette” with the American economy.

Speaking before McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
blasted Senate Republicans for threatening to block a bill to prevent
outsourcing of jobs and accused the GOP of not being “serious” about
legislating.

** MNI Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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