Still No Fiscal Cliff Fix: Boehner Puts Off ‘Plan B’ Vote

UPDATE: President Obama made a short statement Friday afternoon in the White House briefing room regarding the Fiscal Cliff situation. He said he spoke with Speaker Boehner and met with Senator Reid. Obama, painting himself as a hopeless optimist said it’s a “achievable goal” solve the crisis in ten days.

Listen HERE to a clip of President Obama:

President Obama: “The challenge that we’ve got right now is that the American people are a lot more sensible and a lot more thoughtful and much more willing to compromise and give and sacrifice and act responsibly, then their elected representatives are.”

The President then wished the nation a Merry Christmas. He also told reporters “Because we didn’t get this done, I will see you next week.”

Editor’s Note: President Obama and the first family are leaving Friday night for Christmas holiday in Hawaii.

The plan to avoid the fiscal cliff has run into a brick wall, as some House Republicans revolted against a tax hike bill that Democrats also opposed.

FOX News Radio’s Rich Johnson reports from Washington:

Following the Thursday night vote that did not happen:

(Reporter) “Are you giving up on your conference? Are you quitting?”
(Boehner) “Absolutely not.”

House Speaker John Boehner says he stopped the vote on a bill the freeze tax rates for those earning less than a million dollars because there was a perception that it would constitute a tax hike.

(Boehner) “Now I disagree with that, with that characterization of the bill, but that impression was out there.”

And while the House is in recess until two days after Christmas, Boehner says he’s ready to call back lawmakers anytime if needed.

In Washington, Rich Johnson, FOX News Radio.

READ House Speaker Boehner’s statement on the tax vote:

“The House did not take up the tax measure today because it did not have sufficient support from our members to pass.  Now it is up to the President to work with Senator Reid on legislation to avert the fiscal cliff.  The House has already passed legislation to stop all of the January 1 tax rate increases and replace the sequester with responsible spending cuts that will begin to address our nation’s crippling debt.  The Senate must now act.”