White House rejects Boehner’s ‘fiscal cliff’ ‘Plan B’

The White House quickly rejected House Speaker John Boehner's "fiscal cliff" alternative plan on Tuesday, saying it fails to meet the criteria of ending tax breaks for the top 2 percent, and forces the middle class, seniors and other vulnerable groups to shoulder the country's financial burdens.

"He is not willing to accept a deal that doesn't ask enough of the very wealthiest in taxes and instead shifts the burden to the middle class and seniors," White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement. "The speaker's 'Plan B' approach doesn't meet this test because it can't pass the Senate and therefore will not protect middle-class families, and does little to address our fiscal challenges with zero spending cuts."

Carney's statement was issued hours after it was reported Boehner would present a new deal to avoid the fiscal cliff—automatic tax increases and spending cuts set to go into effect Jan. 1. The new proposal would raise taxes on income over $1 million and include $1 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years.

The president wants to end tax breaks for households earning over $250,000.

Olivier Knox contributed to this report.