Lawmakers Call for Return to Cliff Talks
WASHINGTON--House and Senate leaders called for a return to negotiations to resolve the fiscal cliff before the year ends, but they continued to blame each other for the lingering impasse.</br></br>The posturing came a day after House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) saw his "Plan B" alternative to avoid tax increases collapse in the House due to opposition in his own party.</br></br>"Instead of making hard choices or compromising, as President [Barack] Obama has been willing to do, Speaker Boehner retreated to his corner and resorted to political stunts," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said in a Senate floor speech. Mr. Boehner, meanwhile, at a press briefing earlier Friday said while he was ready to continue negotiations it was up to Mr. Obama and the Senate to come up with a plan.</br></br>"Republicans don't want taxes to go up," Mr. Boehner said. "But we only run the House. Democrats continue to run Washington."</br></br>Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) likewise pointed to Mr. Obama, also speaking from the Senate floor. "Look, it's the president's job to find a solution that can pass Congress. He's the only one who can do it," Mr. McConnell said.