He conceded a scaled-back deal could pass both chambers. Paul slams 'spending bill' cliff deal

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said preliminary details of a potential fiscal cliff deal that emerged Monday are a “deal killer” for him because they don’t slash spending, though he conceded a scaled-back deal could pass both chambers with bipartisan support.

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“Not only are they raising taxes — maybe on a smaller percentage of people but a large amount of money — but they’re also going to spend more money,” Paul said. “So it’s a spending bill.”

Paul, a tea party Republican, continued, “I object to increasing spending and increasing taxes. That’s really the real deal killer for me. If it were just tax rates, and you told me I had the choice of protecting 99 percent, I would vote … for that. Once Democrats sign on board in the House, it should pass as well.”

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This article tagged under: Fiscal Cliff

Rand Paul