Sen. John Barrasso said Sunday that President Obama is “outsourcing” negotiations to avert the “fiscal cliff” — the automatic spending cuts and tax increases that will take effect in 2013 unless Republicans and Democrats can reach a deal.
“What we’re seeing here is a monumental failure of presidential leadership,” Mr. Barrasso said in an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The president’s the only person with a pen who can sign this. And it’s the president’s responsibility to work on something that the House will pass, the Senate will pass and that he will sign. But he is outsourcing this.”
Mr. Barrasso, Wyoming Republican, said he still has “hope” that the Senate will come up with a proposal.
“We’re trying to line up a Rubik’s Cube right now, and we’re not there yet. We’re meeting later today. This is going to continue, I think, on until tomorrow.”
• David Eldridge can be reached at deldridge@washingtontimes.com.
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