WASHINGTON  --  The Senate Republican leader is calling on President Barack Obama and Democrats to spell out where they would cut government spending as part of any deal to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff."

Sen. Mitch McConnell complained on Tuesday that Obama has spent his time talking about raising tax rates but has failed to specify where he would reduce out-of-control government spending.

The Kentucky Republican cited recent studies on wasteful government spending, including $325,000 on a Robotic squirrel name RoboSquirrel.

McConnell's comments came just three weeks before automatic tax hikes and spending cuts kick in, a double hit that economists warn could plunge the nation into another recession.

 

DONNA CASSATA
Associated Press

The Associated Press