Kyl: Dems using debt debate for 'much broader tax increases'

Republicans have tried to work with Democrats to solve the debt crisis, but "behind the scenes" Democrats insisted on huge tax increases, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz) said Saturday.

"Unfortunately, after weeks of negotiations, it became clear that Democrats in Washington did not view this crisis as an opportunity to rein in spending," Kyl said in the GOP's weekly address. "Instead, they saw it as an opportunity to impose huge tax increases on American families and small businesses."

The parties are locked in a standoff over raising the nation's $14.3 trillion debt limit before Treasury's Aug. 2 deadline, after which the U.S. could default on it's debt.

Kyl said Republicans are committed to avoiding a default and blamed Democrats for blocking progress on a deal.

"Republicans have tried to work with Democrats to avoid this result and put our country on a better path, but we need them to work with us," Kyl said.

President Obama in his own weekly address put the blame on Republicans for holding up a compromise.

House Republicans on Friday narrowly approved legislation authorizing a limited increase in the $14.3 trillion debt limit in exchange for more than $900 billion in spending cuts. That bill was quickly killed in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has introduced a plan that would cut $2.4 trillion in spending, but that plan is expected to be killed by the House on Saturday.

Kyl said taxes are the sticking point between the parties.

"The simple fact is, in order to afford the kind of government this president wants, taxes would have to be increased dramatically – and for middle income Americans, not just on the wealthy," he said.

"President Obama is simply too committed to the European-style of big government that his policies have set in motion."

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