WASHINGTON » The White House is rejecting House Speaker John Boehner’s plan to push a backup tax bill as a way to deal with the "fiscal cliff."

In a statement, White House spokesman Jay Carney says Boehner’s "Plan B" approach can’t pass the Senate. And he says it does little to address the nation’s fiscal challenges.

Unless the White House and Congress reach a deal, a series of tax increases and spending cuts begin taking effect on Jan. 1.

Boehner is calling for a separate bill to address only taxes. He wants lawmakers to extend tax cuts for people making up to $1 million.

Carney says the president is willing to continue working with Republicans to keep from going over the fiscal cliff.