White House: Obama hopeful for deal on ‘fiscal cliff’ after Republicans abandon House vote

WASHINGTON – The White House says President Barack Obama is willing to continue bargaining for a bipartisan solution to avert the “fiscal cliff” after Republicans in the House of Representaives abandoned efforts to pass an alternative plan.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says Obama intends to work with Congress. He did not mention House Speaker John Boehner’s failure to muster the votes for his so-called Plan B.

Obama and his aides have been critical of Boehner’s proposal to raise tax rates on incomes above $1 million. Boehner’s plan would not have raised the amount of revenue that Obama has demanded.

One Republican lawmaker said Boehner told them he would call Obama in hopes of setting up a meeting.