McCaskill, Blunt take opposing stances on taxes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri's two U.S. senators are taking opposite positions on whether to raise taxes on the wealthy as part of a solution to the so-called fiscal cliff facing the economy.

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill said Wednesday that she supports President Barack Obama's insistence that top income-earners should face higher tax rates. But Republican Senator Roy Blunt said he opposes increasing the tax rates for anyone.

The divide between Missouri's senators is emblematic of the stalemate in Washington D.C.

If Obama and Congress don't reach an agreement before the year's end, $109 billion of annual spending cuts will automatically kick in and tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush will automatically expire. Obama wants to extend the tax breaks only for those earning less than $250,000 annually.