Super Committee Deal Not Reached, Leaders Say

By DAVID ESPO, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The bipartisan leadership of a special congressional deficit supercommittee has officially announced that the panel has failed to reach an agreement.

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray and Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling say that despite "intense deliberations" the members of the panel have been unable "to bridge the committee's significant differences."

The panel was established by this summer's budget and debt agreement to cut at least $1.2 trillion from the budget over 10 years. But the panel has been divided from the beginning over taxes and cuts to popular government benefit programs like Medicare.

Last-ditch bipartisan talks failed to produce a breakthrough.

Comments

[James L Morgan]

04:16 PM on 11/23/2011

A bunch of baboons are called a congress so guess how many we have in washington

[mayanindependentspeak]

11:11 PM on 11/22/2011

It seems that our Senators and Representatives are not only incapable of responsible governance, but that they routinely undermine the Constitution and legislate outside of it's boundaries.

This is the current oath of office taken by members of Congress:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

Does anyone out there see anyone in Congress that lives up to their oath? It seems to me that they are the domestic enemies of the Constitution.

The oath that all military member stake is only slightly different, and states the they will "protect and defend" the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.

Isn't it about time that the military begins to think about living up to their oath and protect the Constitution from these domestic enemies?

[edithbunker]

07:32 PM on 11/22/2011

Awww, the stupor committee couldn't make an agreement? You (obama and jay night-of-the-living-dead carney) say that it's the fault of those billionaire-loving, sonofabitching republicans? How...original. How predictable. How many people with an even barely functioning brain thought/imagined for one single moment, that the stupor committee was anything other than a campaign tool for hizzoner? So co-opted.

[JacksonJones]

10:49 AM on 11/23/2011

"How...orig­inal. How predictabl­e."

And how true.

Now, Edith, get me a beer, will ya?

[edithbunker]

09:42 PM on 11/25/2011

Yeah Archie...right away.

[bccpn]

06:57 PM on 11/22/2011

Automatic ss and medicare cuts with the dems thinking we will not blame them.All are at fault for not getting just 3% in cuts, This is not going to end well like Obama said yesterday.He said in simple terms this failure was no big deal. Tell that to the patients who get turned away and the elders not able to meet their bills.

[javaroyal]

06:32 PM on 11/22/2011

What if there was one thing they could agree on … one that would actually put people back to work? What could that look like?

Animation – Washington Compromise: http://youtu.be/qvAOB-zk-5w

OK, don’t shoot me … just having fun here; nationwide, the cabinet industry (which supports housing) is about 1/3 the size it was in 2006 and could use a little positive energy!

Unfortunately, about the only place the two parties can come to an agreement is in an animated video.

[kentblackdog]

06:26 PM on 11/22/2011

Mission accomplished----------no deal and cover for the dems, come the next national election.

Nice when a plan come together.

[speedydan79]

06:15 PM on 11/22/2011

What a surprise. They couldn't agree on anything. Oh, well, maybe we don't need them anyway when we've got Occupy Wall Street out there protesting. At least someone is doing their job.

[sks504]

06:26 PM on 11/22/2011

They are out there because they do not have a job.(or want a job)

[kskclk]

07:55 PM on 11/22/2011

a lot of them are out there getting paid from an ultra left wing group out of Canada. Cash 300 to 600 dollars a week. Hey, they are not paying taxes on that $$$

[juicybrisket]

08:13 PM on 11/22/2011

LOL proof?

[teabagmetos]

06:01 PM on 11/22/2011

A day in the life of self made man Joe Republican.

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/thom-hartmann-day-life-joe-middle-class-re

[teabagmetos]

05:53 PM on 11/22/2011

This is the result of electing the Tea Party extremists in 2010, a dysfunctional Govt unable to conduct business.

[kskclk]

07:56 PM on 11/22/2011

Tea Party groups want cuts, The dysfunctional government we have is the old school not able to bend

[Tommy Peters]

05:45 PM on 11/22/2011

The two party system no longer works. It is long past the time when Democrats and Republicans can create sane government. We need coalition government like England or Israel. Liberals, conservatives, labor, health providers, teachers, students, retirees, Zionist, religious right, Tea Party, ethenic groups, anarchist, athiest, gay, whatever, form coalition and rule until they do not agree any more. Then we have an election and form a new government. Not an election EVERY year, but only when the government can not form a consensus, like now. Being a Democrat or a Republican means NOTHING. Your political views need to count. Coalitions of like thiking people would give citizens politics meaning. Right now your political feelings count for zilch.

[hsmachine]

04:38 PM on 11/22/2011

With Dems only wanting more spending It's no wonder they never got together on anything. Face it Dems only want more taxes and more spending.

[lowrodiay65]

05:10 PM on 11/22/2011

Face it, with republcans just wanting more tax breaks for the wealthy and large corporations they will never get together.

[greendayer]

04:02 PM on 11/22/2011

Good piece from the Washington Post on this . . . Samuelson - "Contrary to much press coverage, the committee's Republicans opened the door to compromise by abandoning - as they should have - opposition to tax increases. Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA) poposed a tax "reform" that would raise income taxes by $250 billion over a decade."

"Democrats also didn't respond with an equal concession: a willingness to deal with Social Security and Medicare."

Samuelson goes on to blame Obama's lack of leadership and "noncommittal gibberish".

As a reminder, the Democrat controlled Senate is over 400 days late in proposing a budget by law. Total irresponsibility.

[dsh1007155]

03:58 PM on 11/22/2011

Before one cent is cut for U.S. citizens, ALL foreign "aid" should be stopped. It is truly amazing that no media outlet brings this up. I wonder why?

[mbomcar]

04:10 PM on 11/22/2011

couldn't agree more!

[tuhloola]

03:20 PM on 11/22/2011

Since Grover Norquist was the 13th member of this committee, what other outcome did we expect ???

[miahurley]

04:56 PM on 11/22/2011

That is so stupid.

[mbomcar]

02:51 PM on 11/22/2011

where is the "shared" sacrifice? seems the only cuts are to the poor, elderly, and military. heaven forbid the Republican party bites the hand that feeds it...rich, powerful corporations. they can't get re-elected without them, so they can't raise their taxes and risk their ire and losing their financial support come election time. hope their refusal to pay their fair share backfires, big time!

[devildog0311usmc]

03:53 PM on 11/22/2011

THE GOP 6 WERE TOLD NOT TO VOTE TO RAISE TAXES ON THE FAT CATS BY BOEHNER...