Schumer Blocks "Fiscal Cliff" Tax Deal

Nobody lowers tax rates when Chuck is around

Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, the Senate's third-ranking Democrat, threw cold water Tuesday on one emerging approach for striking a bipartisan deficit-reduction deal — an overhaul of the tax code that lowers top income tax rates but raises more revenue. Mr. Schumer's position complicates efforts to seal a deal before January, when the "fiscal cliff" of tax increases and automatic spending cuts goes into effect.