With the fiscal cliff looming, Speaker of the House John Boehner tried to use the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as an excuse in his decision to begin caving to President Obama’s demands to raise taxes. Asked about the timing of his late-breaking moves on the fiscal cliff and whether they had to do with the shootings, Boehner said, “I think both sides would agree to that. This is a very difficult time for Americans. That’s why we continue to have conversations with the White House, and continue to hope that we have an agreement. It’s not a time to put Americans through more stress.”

The White House, for its part, agreed. Jay Carney, White House press secretary, said that the shooting reminded Americans “what matters most,” and that a compromise would “send a signal that Washington can function.”