Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) (R) speaks during a press conference with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) (L) at the U.S. Capitol December 21, 2012 in Washington, DC. House Republicans could not agree to support Boehner's proposed 'Plan B' initiative yesterday and now must find a new way to reach agreement with U.S. President Barack Obama on a deficit reduction deal. (Getty Images)
House Speaker John Boehner on Friday blamed having to cancel the vote on his so-called fiscal cliff Plan B on House members who didn't want to be seen as voting to raise taxes.
"We didn't have the vote to pass it," Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters. "There was a perception that that vote last night was going to increase taxes. I disagree with that characterization of the bill but that was the perception out there."
The Plan B proposal would have raised tax rates on incomes above $1 million. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had indicated he would not bring the plan up for a vote, and President Barack Obama had vowed to veto it for not raising enough revenue.
"[Members] were dealing with the perception that some might accuse them of raising taxes," Boehner said.
