Paul Weinstein talked about the role that the recommendations of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (also known as the “Simpson-Bowles Commission") were playing in the ongoing negotiations to avert the "fiscal cliff.” Topics included the major provisions of the commission proposal, initial bipartisan reactions to the proposal, and how and why those reactions have changed. Mr. Weinstein also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.
“Fiscal Cliff” referred to impending tax increases and spending cuts at the end of 2012 if Congress failed to reach a budget agreement.