Republicans must stop putting tax increases on the fiscal cliff negotiating table and start demanding that Democrats put forth serious proposals to reduce spending.

It is foolish for Republicans to continue opening the door to job-killing tax hikes while Democrats refuse to explain how they propose to reform mandatory spending - mostly entitlements - that makes up almost two-thirds of the federal budget.

Here's the question for my fellow Republicans: Do we want to be the first-ever GOP House majority to raise federal marginal income tax rates?

The polls are with us on this. They say the American people, more than anything, want to see spending cuts rather than tax increases.

There is a direct link between the federal tax cut of 2001 and state tax increases in 2003. When the federal government's mistakes force states to raise their taxes, it not only robs Peter to pay Paul, but it hurts hard-working families and it undermines our economy's strength.

We need to restore the Bush tax cuts or actually make them permanent.