WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours past a self-imposed deadline for action, the Senate passed legislation early New Year’s Day to neutralize a fiscal cliff combination of across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts that kicked in at midnight. The pre-dawn vote was 89-8.
Comments
Will we ever know what brought Senator Mitch McConnell around to agreeing to a meeting with Vice President Joe Biden? Wow, now we shall see how House Speaker John Boehner receives the hand off tomorrow. This whole evening reminded me of some episode of The West Wing. Happy New Year to the Comment Section colleagues!!
McConnell asked Biden to join the negotiations, according to the New York Times. I knew Biden was greatly respected in the Senate, but such an initiative from McConnell was a surprise to me.
Thanks to everyone on both sides for getting this done. I think it might make it through the House with a combination of Democratic and Republican votes. Boehner may not be able to get the majority of Republicans to go along, but all he needs is enough.