Boehner has insisted that raising revenue cannot be part of any sequester solution.
Boehner draws line in sequester sand
Just two days before the sequester is set to take effect, House Speaker John Boehner will reject closing tax loopholes outside of a comprehensive rewrite of the Tax Code — the central tenet of President Barack Obama's plan to blunt the automatic spending cuts known as the sequester.
"Higher tax rates are not the answers to our problems," Boehner said in a speech Tuesday to the Credit Union National Association, according to prepared remarks. "Spending is the problem, and spending cuts are the solution. Yes, we should close loopholes, but we should do it as part of tax reform that lowers rates and helps create jobs. And again, this should be one of Washington's highest priorities."
The comments reinforce the stalemate in the fight to blunt $85 billion in across-the-board cuts set to take effect on March 1. Both sides were in a holding pattern, with the speaker insisting that raising revenue cannot be part of any solution and President Barack Obama advocating a mix of tax hikes and spending cuts. Boehner reiterating that Obama's plan is a non-starter is not a hopeful sign.
(PHOTOS: What they're saying about sequestration)
By reiterating his hard-line stance on taxes, Boehner is making it even harder for the two parties to reach a deal before March 1, when the $85 billion, across-the-board cuts will take effect.
But Boehner is showing support for rewriting the tax code this Congress — whether the speaker wanted to overhaul it has become one of the top parlor games in town.
GOP aides, in various forums, have cast doubt about whether the Ohio Republican is in favor of the hefty undertaking, because of how difficult it would be to find common ground with the Democratic-controlled Senate.
(Also on POLITICO: Boehner: Senators should get "off their ass")
But with the debate over the sequester raging, Boehner said that "fixing" the tax code "is one of my highest legislative priorities for this Congress."
"Dave Camp, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, is continuing a thoughtful and thorough review of the tax code with an eye on tax reform and I fully support his work," Boehner said, according to remarks passed along by a source. "It's time we shift the balance of power from the tax collector to the taxpayer."
Camp (R-Mich.) has been forging ahead with plans for tax reform, organizing groups of lawmakers to dig into different preferences in the code.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama flew to Newport News, Va., on Tuesday to decry the cuts in a part of the state that is heavy with military spending and servicemen and women.
( WATCH: Team Obama drives home sequester messaging)
"These cuts are wrong," Obama said while standing in front of a three-story aircraft carrier propeller. "They're not smart, they're not fair, they are a self-inflicted wound that doesn't have to happen."
Obama flew on Air Force One to Virginia with Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) , and praised the congressman for being willing to consider new tax revenue as part of sequester replacement plan.
"There are too many Republicans in Congress right now who refuse to compromise even an inch when it comes to closing tax loopholes and special interest tax breaks," Obama said. "Keep in mind, nobody is asking them to raise income tax rates. All we're asking is for them to consider closing tax loopholes and deductions."
(Also on POLITICO: Obama plan: Divide and conquer GOP)
For their part, House Republicans are convening a "special" closed-meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss a stop-gap government funding measure to prevent a government shutdown.
The meeting signals urgency on the so-called continuing resolution. Government funding runs out March 27.
The funding measure will not hit the floor this week, but could come up next week.
One option being eyed by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) would give the Pentagon more flexibility with funds when the sequester hits.
"Our goal is to make sure the government is in fact funded — that there's no threat of a government shutdown," Boehner said Tuesday morning. "We've been working with our members, talking with our colleagues in the Senate about how best to enact a continuing resolution to keep our government funded."
The Senate — which Boehner said Tuesday should "get off their ass" to act on the sequester — will vote on dueling plans this week designed to stave off the $85 billion, across-the-board spending cuts known that are set to take effect on Friday.
Senate Democrats plan to take up a bill that will replace the sequester with a mix of spending cuts and revenue, mostly garnered from a minimum 30 percent tax on millionaires known as the "Buffett Rule." That approach, however, is a nonstarter with Republicans because of its focus on tax hikes.
Senate Republicans are currently trying to decide whether to offer their own alternative to the Democratic bill, which would give Obama more flexibility in implementing the automatic spending cuts. Both bills would likely need to surmount a 60-vote threshold when the votes are held on Wednesday or Thursday — and both are likely to fail.