Picking winners and losers in the recently resolved “fiscal cliff” debate is not easy.
But, with another debate looming in a few weeks over raising the federal debt ceiling, Republicans appear anxious to cast themselves as the losers.
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) emphasized in interviews that Republicans had made the fiscal cliff deal so that they could now address federal spending in the upcoming agreement. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) referred to tax issues as “resolved” by the fiscal cliff deal, suggesting that the only thing left “unresolved” is federal spending.
Republicans are hoping the debt ceiling debate is the time to push spending cuts they’ve eyed for decades. Time will tell if public support is strong enough for them to make their move.
See the story at Slate.
