David Gregory spars with Boehner: ‘Mr. Speaker, that’s just not true’

In an interview, taped Friday after last-ditch negotiations failed, Boehner insisted that Obama and Senate Democrats were to blame because they did not send any proposal his way.

“Even today, there’s no plan, from Senate Democrats or the White House, to replace the sequester,” he said.

But Gregory was unconvinced, pointing out that Obama had in fact outlined what he required in a compromise deal. Importantly, that framework included specific mention of entitlment and spending cuts—both of which are central to Repubican demands—that he’d be willing to make.

“Mr. Speaker, that’s just not true,” Gregory said. “They’ve made it very clear, as the president just did, that he has a plan that he’s put forward that involves entitlement cuts, that involves spending cuts, that you’ve made a choice, as have Republicans, to leave tax loopholes in place.”

“Well David, that’s just nonsense,” Boehner interrupted. “If he had a plan why didn’t Senate Democrats go ahead and pass it?”

Senate Democrats did not pass a competing bill to avert the automatic cuts because Republicans in that chamber effectively fillibustered their efforts. The bills passed by the Republican-led House were also a solely a symbolic gesture, as they did not address revenue increases, making them a non-starter for Democrats.