The White House and Senate Democrats rejected a "Plan B" proposal from House Republicans to permanently extend current tax rates on annual incomes below $1 million.
White House press secretary Jay Carney and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said Tuesday that the plan from House GOP leadership lacked "balance" and could not pass the Senate.
"It can’t pass the Senate and therefore will not protect middle class families, and does little to address our fiscal challenges with zero spending cuts," Carney said in a statement.
However, 53 Democratic senators are already on record supporting a similar plan, more than enough to pass the Senate in the absence of a filibuster.
The Senate voted 53 to 37 in favor of extending the Bush-era tax rates for everyone earning less than $1 million per year in December 2010.
Leading Democrats such as Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) have endorsed similar proposals in the past.