Congressman Barrow: Washington in Gridlock, Major Tax Reform Needed

WASHINGTON, D.C. (41NBC/WMGT) — Congressman John Barrow says right now, there’s gridlock in Washington over the fiscal cliff talks because neither the president nor the house has put the right plan on the table.

Barrow believes both House Speaker John Boehner, and President Obama are ignoring the fact that the current tax code has run it’s course. He wants a total overhaul of the code, but he says it’s going to be tough to get that through the house. It’s controlled by a small group of republicans who aren’t budging from their extreme views.

“The trouble is the leadership is in hoc to a to a very extreme element in his own caucus that may fire him if he does, uh if he, if he compromises too much. If he does the right thing for the country and lets the house vote on major tax reform that could lower rates for everyone, a large decrease in deficit spending, cutting unnecessary waste in government. If he allowed the house to vote on something like that he might get fired by his own people,” says Barrow.

Barrow says there’s a chance a deal could happen by the end of the year, but the odds aren’t looking good.