Advocates demand protection of programs for elderly, poor as Obama meets on taxes and spending cuts

In Washington D.C., President Obama is holding meetings this week with CEOs from top corporations, union representatives and Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress, as efforts intensify to resolve the year-end tax break expirations and spending cuts some are calling the “fiscal cliff.” Prompted by anxiety over a bi-partisan deal that would slash the social safety net, progressive groups and lawmakers are holding their own meeting today on Capitol Hill, demanding that programs for the elderly and poor take precedence over tax cuts for the rich. In Washington, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has more.