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Sanders: Going Over 'Fiscal Cliff' Better than Bad Tax Deal
Senator says new Congress could recover 'in the first month or two'
Nov 12, 2012
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Monday that if the lame-duck Congress can't agree on a tax deal by the end of the year, briefly going over the "fiscal cliff" is preferable to accepting a bad deal.
"Is it better to deal with this issue in the next session rather than accept a bad agreement in this session?" Sanders said during a press conference at his Burlington office. "Yes, it is."
The "fiscal cliff" refers to a package of severe tax increases and cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid set to automatically go into effect on Jan. 1.
Sanders said Republicans who support the plan are "way, way outside the mainstream," The Burlington Free Press reports.
"Obviously, I would prefer to not go over the fiscal cliff," Sanders said. "I hope we can reach an agreement now, but if we can't, we will reach it in the first few months of the next session." He said Congress could then address the "fiscal cliff" situation in "the first month or two of the new session without any damage whatsoever."
Sanders advocated for increasing taxes on the wealthy, closing corporate tax loopholes, cutting defense spending and tracking down individuals and companies that hide money in off-shore accounts.
He also said he hopes the Senate will change the filibuster rule that in many cases requires a 60-vote majority to pass legislation, according to The Republic.
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This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Monday that if the lame-duck Congress can't agree on a tax deal by the end of the year, briefly going over the "fiscal cliff" is preferable to accepting a bad deal.
"Is it better to deal with this issue in the next session rather than accept a bad agreement in this session?" Sanders said during a press conference at his Burlington office. "Yes, it is."
The "fiscal cliff" refers to a package of severe tax increases and cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid set to automatically go into effect on Jan. 1.
Sanders said Republicans who support the plan are "way, way outside the mainstream," The Burlington Free Press reports.
"Obviously, I would prefer to not go over the fiscal cliff," Sanders said. "I hope we can reach an agreement now, but if we can't, we will reach it in the first few months of the next session." He said Congress could then address the "fiscal cliff" situation in "the first month or two of the new session without any damage whatsoever."
Sanders advocated for increasing taxes on the wealthy, closing corporate tax loopholes, cutting defense spending and tracking down individuals and companies that hide money in off-shore accounts.
He also said he hopes the Senate will change the filibuster rule that in many cases requires a 60-vote majority to pass legislation, according to The Republic.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Monday that if the lame-duck Congress can't agree on a tax deal by the end of the year, briefly going over the "fiscal cliff" is preferable to accepting a bad deal.
"Is it better to deal with this issue in the next session rather than accept a bad agreement in this session?" Sanders said during a press conference at his Burlington office. "Yes, it is."
The "fiscal cliff" refers to a package of severe tax increases and cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid set to automatically go into effect on Jan. 1.
Sanders said Republicans who support the plan are "way, way outside the mainstream," The Burlington Free Press reports.
"Obviously, I would prefer to not go over the fiscal cliff," Sanders said. "I hope we can reach an agreement now, but if we can't, we will reach it in the first few months of the next session." He said Congress could then address the "fiscal cliff" situation in "the first month or two of the new session without any damage whatsoever."
Sanders advocated for increasing taxes on the wealthy, closing corporate tax loopholes, cutting defense spending and tracking down individuals and companies that hide money in off-shore accounts.
He also said he hopes the Senate will change the filibuster rule that in many cases requires a 60-vote majority to pass legislation, according to The Republic.
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