Missouri Republican Senator Roy Blunt says if the country goes over the fiscal cliff, Democrats will be to blame.
Blunt and his Congressional colleagues will convene later today in a last-ditch attempt to avoid the automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that would take effect Tuesday.
In this week's GOP radio address, Blunt says the Republican-led House, has already taken passed legislation that would extend the Bush-era tax cuts and make what he called more responsible reductions in spending
"But instead of working across the aisle and considering the House-passed plan to protect taxpayers, Senate Democrats have spent months drawing partisan lines in the sand," Blunt said. The address also pointed to Congressional failures to address the estate tax and the Keystone XL pipeline.
"Inaction shouldn't be an option," Blunt said. "The problems facing our country are big, but they're not necessarily all that complicated. The president will never have more political capital than he does right now, and the next few days will begin to define his second term. He was elected to lead."
Senate leaders from both parties hope to have something they can present to their caucuses today.
If that fails, President Obama has asked for a vote on legislation that would continue tax cuts for those with incomes under $250,000, and extend emergency unemployment benefits.
Follow Rachel Lippmann on Twitter: @rlippmann
