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'Fiscal' talks hit snag over Social Security spending

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    Rep. Mick Mulvaney weighs in

  • Duration 5:44
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The question buzzing around Washington and quite frankly the rest of the nation tonight will -- deal get done on the fiscal cliff negotiations continuing.

Right now behind closed doors to avoid some the most painful tax hikes and spending cuts in our nation's history.

But at least one Republican congressman believes the president.

Really wants the nation to go over the clip.

So attack should -- joining me now for his take on what's going on live from the hill right now House Budget Committee member.

Republican South Carolina congressman nick -- -- Congressman thanks for being with us tonight.

Thanks so much revenue so this would be quite an acting job by the president if -- really in the end wants us to go off the cliff but you say that's the case.

Politicians are pretty good actors begin -- I think but.

I think if you look at some of the background take the time to actually watch what's happened over the battle of the course the last couple months the last couple years.

Is OMB director of -- of the Office of Management and Budget was telling him as early as 2010 that.

All the tax rates needed to go up in order for him to have the money necessary to to run the programs that he wanted.

Nancy Pelosi is now telling us that there are many members in her caucus want all the tax rates to go up and Howard -- Not been shy about saying all -- tax -- you -- -- for on everybody for several months this is a major component within the Democrat part of that wanna see all these rates go up and a very public about it.

The question is does the president really have the interest in standing up to that part of the party or does he want the tax rates to go up and simply trying to blame the Republicans.

So here you -- Sunday night first time since 1970 I'm reading the congress is working between Christmas and New Year's.

How do you negotiate with someone who's determined to see is basically fail and go over into extreme high taxes.

We don't and that's the real shame of it is that you did.

The one of the most insightful things I think I've read the last couple weeks was that he is the the dialogue between mr.

Boehner and the president right after the election were mister Boehner.

Effectively put 800 billion dollars revenues on the table and was talking about the negotiations in the president's that he -- I get that for free and not giving you anything I was 800 billion dollars that.

That sends a very powerful message that someone's not interest in negotiating.

I don't know where we stand tonight we've been told that that to Washington's a big rumor -- as you can probably imagine we're told the the senate has gone home for the night.

I would also heard rumors that maybe the change CPI would be off the table which I think would be indications of a smaller deal not a larger deal.

Because it's hard to imagine a large -- doesn't -- something to do with entitlements.

On the and as soon as -- -- for this interview we've got a private GOP conference meeting over the capital so things are going very very quickly despite the fact it seems fairly quiet -- America.

Yeah and to emerge now edging into later and later on the Sunday night giving you talk about things that have been said that can shift.

The temperature of where you -- senator Reid has said he cannot offer -- counteroffer.

Because he said quote we are too far apart on some pretty big issues -- you talking about.

I've no idea that's the first that I've heard it I think that's that maybe the most disappointing thing I've heard all day when.

Some intelligent they don't want -- counter -- tells me that they're not interested in doing a deal it strikes me that it would not be difficult.

To do a deal that focused just on the tax rates and what I think you may be seeing out of mr.

Reid and others.

Across the aisle is that they're not interest in doing just something on the tax rates are not that -- that.

It in these tax rates saying down with their interest that is what they can get as part of -- deal.

You saw the president asked for fifty billion dollars in stimulus an extension of of unemployment insurance I think the question is what leverage can they get not really whether or not they're interested in the in the tax rates -- where they are.

You know I'm just curious this is a little bit like shopping on Christmas Eve 11 o'clock at night in stores about clothes.

It is it time to be looking for a deal then or do you just get the -- -- and get everybody out of harm's way.

We'd like to get as many people out of harm's way as we possibly -- of course the house cannot do things by itself who said this for the last.

Two years ever since I've got to Washington we thought we've we've done some things the house that were.

Worthy of senate action and they sat there in on the senate that's for for two years -- the past 35 jobs bills last year that the senate.

-- he didn't take up for a vote so unfortunately it looks like what we're going -- tonight is just more of the same in the senate.

From what you've just told me sounds like an outage in doing anything and like I said that's the most disappointed as I've heard all day.

You know is America watches the sausage being made in all of this you guys are used to this but I have to ask this question when you look at the approval rating or disapproval rating of congress.

Across the country.

How does this get left at the last minute now before you speak congressman -- -- -- let everybody know could you can't -- -- but we've got up Fox News opinion poll what's up.

It shows that people feel about congress and all -- and your part of that group seven if Ford disapproving.

How do you get to the point where it's the eve of New Year's Eve and we don't have a deal on a fiscal -- I've got 37 graders back home we've got triplets and -- I I tell folks that congress is pretty much like having three pre teenagers in the house we.

We leave everything until the very last minute keep in mind that we've known about this for at least eighteen months.

And probably two years and the argument could be made we've known this was coming for the last ten years and we left I saw the president's interview today.

And he said I'm disappointed he is that Washington doesn't work more rationally and people don't listen to reasoned arguments and so forth.

-- -- should listen to his own speeches.

And -- and take his own advice because he's a very powerful leadership position it -- -- the president for goodness sake.

-- party's in control of the senate if he wanted to lead on this issue my guess is.

Harry Reid would be offering us something as part of a at least part of the negotiation but if he's not that -- the president.

Has refused to engage again I think those actions speak much louder than words.

Congressman already talking about your family have been to your website your children are beautiful I know you're fabulous dad and if you're part of the mix there tell those teenagers to answer -- would just.

Yes sir Michael.

Thank you for joining us our thanks happy -- year.

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