Boehner, McConnell Diverge on Supercommittee Goals

House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have different views when it comes to the supercommittee charged with suggesting $1.25 trillion in budget deficit reduction. While both oppose tax increases, McConnell wants the panel to stick with reduction in the $1.25 trillion to $1.5 trillion, Politico reports. But Boehner wants to go big and has advocated major tax reform.

 

Why the difference? Boehner wants to prove to Republicans and the country as a whole that he can govern despite the political rancor between the two parties, according to Politico. Meanwhile, paralysis in the Senate would help McConnell’s goal of winning a Republican majority in the Senate in next year’s elections.

 

 “We haven’t had breakthroughs on major issues in a long time,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. “The frustration people feel about the government is going to translate into some political momentum.”