Boehner rips House Democrats tax vote as 'chicken crap'
December 2nd, 2010
12:00 PM ET
9 years ago

Boehner rips House Democrats tax vote as 'chicken crap'


"I'm trying to catch my breath so I don't refer to this maneuver going on today as chicken crap, all right? But this is nonsense, all right?" Boehner told reporters Thursday.


"The election was one month ago. There are 23 months from the next election and the political games have already started to try to set up the next election. We had an honest conversation at the White House about the challenges that we face to get out of here and to take care of what the American people expect of us and to roll this vote out today, it really is just, it's what you think I was going to say anyway," Boehner said.

The GOP Leader would not give any details on the negotiations between White House officials and Congressional leaders about how to deal with the Bush-era tax cuts that are expiring at the end of the year, but maintained that Congress' main priority now should be on stopping any tax increases for any Americans.

When asked whether Republicans would support extending unemployment benefits as part of a compromise to extend all tax cuts for some period of time, Boehner simply answered, "we'll see."

Filed under: Congress • John Boehner • Tax deal • Taxes
soundoff (307 Responses)
  1. Rajag Sitaraman

    The Honorable Mr. Boehner:
    You call it it chicken crap, we call it "energizing manure, which by the way you from Ohio, induces growth, fertility and progress".

    Just remember these facts:

    President Barack is is STILL the President of the US
    Mr. Harry Reid, is STILL the Senate Leader
    Majority of the American people SUPPORT President Obama;s policies on most things.

    Mr. Boher, DO NOT GET CARRIED AWAY, CHICKEN SHIT belongs in the COMPOST, not in US Congress.

    As a Citizen and US Taxpayer, i DEMAND your respect for the President and rule of LAW. Cut out the soundbyte and rhetic.

    Thank you.

    December 2, 2010 01:49 pm at 1:49 pm |
  2. Gretta Johnson

    Wow....intelligent rhetoric, as always, by the GOP.

  3. The Other Michael in Houston

    Funny how the Republicans cry about Dems not meeting in the middle and they themselves don't. Once again, people like myself who taxes will be raised once the Bush tax cuts expire do not mind, I have enough money that it will not affect my day to day living, it's the idiot brainwashed Tea Party members who do not even make close to $250,000 who are against it. And the argument that raisinf taxes on those who create jobs will hurt the economy, well I guess if you think that that creating jobs for overseas labor and paying them pennies to do the same work as the American worker can do, well, that is a dumb arguement.


    You asked for it America and now you got it. Think Republicans care about anybody who isn't a millionaire/billionaire? They aren't even in office yet and they're up to the same old Bush-era tricks. Honestly, I can't figure out why anybody who isn't rich votes Republican. It's like normal people don't see which side of their bread has butter on it. Do you think the GOP actually cares about social issues? No way! Just a lure to fish for suckers. It's all about the money, baby!

  5. hillcrester

    Boehner was always the elegant wordsmith. He needs to learn that the "result of the election" was a distaste for legislators (of both parties), for unemployment, and for financial instability. It was not a vote to make the wealthy wealthier.

    Boehner, this ain't beanbag–it's hardball. So man up and face the music.

  6. Jack

    Boehner doesn't have a clue about what the american people want. His main concern is to keep the tax cut for his cronies making over $250,000 so he gets elected again.

    December 2, 2010 01:50 pm at 1:50 pm |
  7. Thomas, Baton Rouge, LA

    If anyone knows chicken crap, it's boener.

  8. Oregon Calling

    Wouldn't it be "chicken crap" to have a meeting with our President and at the same time have all republican senators sign a letter of blackmail?

    Peace 🙂

  9. dctwmt

    "Chicken crap"......well, he'd know.

  10. GWB

    Does Mitch McConnell look like Howdy Doody or is it just me?
    Boener's a bum. He'll make Nancy Pelosi look tame.

  11. saboth

    Fact is, the rich get richer each year, and there are more millionaires every year than the previous year. Meanwhile, our middle class has dropped, the people living in poverty has grown. Why? Because the rich don't spend or "trickle down" like Repubs would love to have us believe. The rich continue to hoard the vast majority of wealth in the US, rather than create jobs. Look at the owners of Walmart. Each year they have more and more wealth, yet try to pay their employees the least amount possible, while providing little to no benefits. Repubs talk about "small business owners" a lot. I've got news for you...people making over 250k a year are the minority when it comes to "small business owners". Most small business owners are happy to make 50-60k a year.

    As long as the rich continue to hoard money instead of pumping it into the jobs and the economy, they should face heavy tax rates. The tax breaks should remain for those making less than 250k a year.

  12. Jack

    So, I guess the Republicans don't want to help the middle-class working stiffs. Have they ever heard of the word COMPROMISE? You can't get everyting you want. The Dems are willing to extend BUSH'S TAX CUT and compromise. Why can't the party of NO do the same? A bunch of petulant children. Just like young children in their Teriible Two stage (" No. I don't wanna. No. I don't wann.")

  13. Matt in SD

    John Boehner is the most predictable clone I've ever seen. See this is how the GOP works: They set political time bombs for Democrats, so when America is feeling intelligent and kicks the GOP out, the GOP policies come into effect during a democratic government, thus making dems look bad and blaming them for trying to destroy america. Hey, I used to do stuff like that to my little brother as a kid! Good thing I grew up! I doubt pretty seriously people who voted for the GOP will get ANYTHING they were actually voting for. Don't believe these snakes, come on now.

    December 2, 2010 01:51 pm at 1:51 pm |
  14. Bubba

    The guy appears to have rubbed chicken crap all over his orange body, so I gotta say he's an expert in the stuff; still I think he probably has some partisan motives for his remark. Also, he can eat chicken crap for all I care.

  15. R8RBOB

    Grand Obstructionist

    Where are the JOBS Boner?

    The solution: let all the W tax cuts expire. Barack and the Dems can then issue a proposal for new tax standards for the < $250,000 income and we'll have us a vote on that. What do say Boner, want to play chicken with the US Middle Class? Speak up agent orange....
    To say a famous phrase made popular by that classic family show, Good Time: RIGHT ON

    I am one of those making under 250,000 and if the Republicans have such an issue about extending the cut for the middle and not the rich then let them ALL EXPIRE. Enough is enough and the President have my permission to say my way or the highway. If the GOP want to vote no to extend the cuts then the President need not put his signature on any bill and let them die and come up with the Obama tax cuts. No mess, no fuss.

    December 2, 2010 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |
  16. Indy

    These tax cuts have not created any employment and there is not one bit of evidence that says if continued they would creat one job. Employment is created from supply and demand not tax cuts to the wealthy.

  17. Rev Mike

    And your paying for this tax cut how? Maybe your Corporate-handlers forgot to tell you? If you wish to cut health care start with your own!

  18. Benjamin

    When 98% of Americans get paychecks that reflect expired tax cuts, you better believe the Republicans will have a very difficult time getting that 51% majority vote in 2 years.

  19. rcw60

    Yeah don't pass the extension for unemployment due to having to pay to cover it but it's okay to extend the tax cuts that haven't been paid for since the cuts were passed before. The republicans talk about compermise but hold out for no compermise on the tax cuts. How come they blame the current administration for spend, spend, spend when they spent for eight years with wars that weren't in the budget?

    December 2, 2010 01:53 pm at 1:53 pm |
  20. John

    This is the guy, who, a few months ago said he could consider limiting the continuation of the '0 & '03 tax cuts to income levels of 200 and 250K. NOw he refuses to discuss anything until he gets his way. WHo's playing games? We can't add a penny to the deficit for extension of unemployment benefits, but we can afford 700 billion in deficit spending for high income tax cuts to be continued? We can fund trillion dollar wars with borrowing, but we have to cut social security and medicare? Who's playing games?The new congress isn't even installed and John and Mitch are 'In control". Who's playing games? These guys need look no farther than their own front doorstep if they want to see real, "Chicken Crap!"

  21. Lolo

    To those of you complaining about the tax cuts, I bet that you don't even make over 250K. Kee p your traps shut. You voted those republicans back in now ldeal with it. The republicans are not going to change anything for you. They just want to see our president fail which they have said time and again. It is not about the people at all. You big dummies. Also re-educate yourselves.

  22. Jack Cardwell

    They have had this tax break for the past 2 years where are the so-called jobs they created during this time? Do you really think anything will change?

  23. David

    So if you don't like extending tax breaks for 98% of Americans and prefer holding that 98% hostage so you can pay off the richest 2%, then vote against the bill. Be a man. Stand on your principles – you care about only the top 2% of Americans and not the other 98%. Be honest about it. If it doesn't pass then you can vote on one that includes the 2%.

    Did you catch that? Be honest about it.

    December 2, 2010 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |
  24. wormey

    @Fouronthe floor: And the tax break for the wealthiest 1% for the past 10 years has worked soooo well at creating jobs, right? Guess someone has not been paying too much attention to current events in the past decade....

  25. Indigo

    Why is it not surprising the GOP wants to extend the Bush tax breaks to the wealthiest 2% but has a "will see" attitude about extending unemployment benefits for those suffering the most hardships in this depression?? Yes, Bohner, we know which side your bread is buttered on!
