May 19, 2013
President Barack Obama has proposed a deficit-reduction package to House Speaker John Boehner that would increase the top tax rates on taxpayers earning more than $400,000, cut more spending from health care programs and add $200 billion more in spending cuts over 10 years to his earlier offer.
Boehner had proposed an earnings threshold of $1 million for higher rates. Obama dropped his demand that individuals making more than $200,000 pay higher rates.
People familiar with the plan said Obama is proposing lower cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security. He also abandoned his request to extend a payroll tax cut -- a move that would result in a tax increase for many Americans.
The offer doesn't include an increase in the Medicare eligibility age, a potential sticking point in negotiations.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
