The talks on averting the so-called fiscal cliff continue in Washington with no reported breakthroughs. The White House and congressional Republicans are hoping to strike a spending deal before a round of tax hikes and spending cuts take effect next month. On Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner and White House spokesperson Jay Carney continued to lay blame for the stalemate at the other side of the bargaining table.

John Boehner: “In the five weeks since we’ve signaled our willingness to forge an agreement with the president, he has never put forth a plan that meets these standards. And frankly, that’s why we don’t have an agreement today.”

Jay Carney: “The obstacle, thus far, has been the adamant refusal to accept the proposition that rates have to go up for the top 2 percent and that rates must continue to stay where they are so that there is no tax hike on 98 percent of the American people. And I think what Republicans have to explain somehow is why — Republican leaders, anyway — why it is better for you, broadly speaking, the American people, 98 percent of you, to have your taxes go up if the wealthiest American don’t get a tax cut.”