And he owns his proposals, and he will -- he looks forward to working on a package proposal that includes the elements that we've talked about and includes tough choices for everyone.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Meanwhile, an alternative package of gun proposal that reflected the NRA position also was defeated.

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The proposal amounts to a package of reciprocal measures.

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Our ESEA reauthorization proposal, ESEA flexibility package, Race to the Top initiative, School Improvement Grant program, and the Teacher Incentive Fund all support the development of strong systems of educator evaluation and support.

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Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, a Republican whose district includes Newtown, called the proposal "the most comprehensive package in the country because of its breadth".

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Now, I just want to point out -- and this brings me to the second problem -- when we made a very modest proposal as part of our package, our health care reform package, to eliminate the subsidies going to insurance companies for Medicare Advantage, we were attacked across the board, by many on your aisle, for slashing Medicare.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Takes Questions at GOP House Issues Conference | The White House

He was referring to a procedural vote on Thursday in which Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic proposal that called for eliminating some tax loopholes as part of a package with spending cuts.

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He has put forward a proposal that addresses the need for entitlement reform in a very serious way as part of a comprehensive package that includes tax reform that would close loopholes and cap deductions in a way that Speaker Boehner said was his position just two months ago.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney,