Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA 14) is looking forward to getting back to work in Washington but he does not think there will be any lasting solution to the so-called fiscal cliff before the end of the year. Doyle made his comments on Essential Pittsburgh the day after he easily won reelection to a 10th term in office.
Doyle said he thinks House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH 8) wants to avoid the train wreck that could come if the provisions of the Budget Control Act are allowed to go into effect December 31st, however he says he does not think a final deal will be made in the coming lame duck session. Doyle is looking for a few month extension followed by a long-term solution in the first few weeks of the new year.
In the meantime Boehner is offering to pursue a deal with a victorious President Barack Obama that will include higher taxes "under the right conditions" to help reduce the nation's staggering debt and put its finances in order.
Boehner gathered reporters Wednesday to announce that those conditions include a revamped tax code to make it cleaner and fairer, with fewer loopholes and lower rates for all.
He did not specify what loopholes House Republicans might consider. Boehner's comments are along the lines of proposals by vanquished Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney that also were vague on specifics.
Still, Boehner's comments signaled a willingness to enter into talks. He suggested Congress could use its upcoming lame-duck session to get the ball moving on such a compromise.
Doyle said if the Republican’s are willing to deal so will the Democrats.
