House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, center, joined by other House GOP leaders, gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, following a political strategy session. From left are, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., Boehner, Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-NC, and Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The plan that was put forward by House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) to avoid the "fiscal cliff" is coming under fire from within his own party.

Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, a leader of tea party conservatives in Congress, is denouncing the $800 billion in higher tax revenue over 10 years that would come from the speaker's plan. DeMint says it's a "tax hike" that will "destroy American jobs and allow politicians in Washington to spend even more" -- while failing to reduce the debt.

Boehner's plan also includes an increase in the eligibility age for Medicare, and lower cost-of-living hikes for Social Security benefits. Overall, the plan is designed to save $2.2 trillion over ten years.

It's the Republican response to a White House plan last week that includes $1.6 trillion in higher taxes over a decade.

AP-WF-12-04-12 2121GMT