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By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 | 1:39 p.m.
House Republican leaders announced Monday afternoon that they would not wait around through New Year’s Eve to hold a vote on a budding deal to avert the "fiscal cliff," guaranteeing the country will go over it.
But it may not be that hard a fall – at least not right away.
At midnight, tax rates are scheduled to rise at all income levels back to 1990s levels, and across-the-board cuts to government spending are scheduled to take effect. Together, they are expected to deliver a $600 billion gut punch to the economy.
Congress set itself the Jan. 1 deadline to reach a deal to avert those tax increases and spending cuts.
But it will likely take several weeks to several months before higher tax rates start to be reflected in workers’ paychecks, and the effect of government cuts are felt throughout the economy. That delayed reaction may buy Congress a few more days to strike a longer-term deal to extend tax rates for at least the middle class at pre-cliff levels. The more elusive deal is what to do with the automatic spending cuts.
For months, lawmakers of both parties have been warning that going over the fiscal cliff would have dire consequences for the economy and potentially pitch the country into a second recession.
But for almost as long, efforts to reach a deal to avert the fiscal cliff failed to make any headway.
Over the weekend, Senate leaders Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell picked up the reins from President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, pledging to strike a deal that would prevent the combination of tax hikes and spending cuts.
In the last 24 hours, it was McConnell and Vice President Joe Biden who came, in McConnell’s words, “very very close” to striking a deal.
The deal, as it is emerging, would extend current income tax rates up to $400,000 in income, or $450,000 for couples. But there is no agreement yet, according to McConnell’s aides, on whether or how long they should delay sequestration cuts from taking effect. Though lawmakers have been warning most vocally that the tax hike would be felt in workers’ paychecks, sequestration cuts, by most economists’ calculations, are expected to deliver the harsher blow to the economy.
Democrats had been going for a deal that would have allowed tax rates above $250,000 to rise, while Republicans wanted a deal that would not let taxes rise at any income level.
The deal, such as it is – and it is not finalized – would require both sides to make concessions. Earlier on Monday, Reid indicated that there were still key issues that divided the two sides, though he expressed hope that lawmakers would be able to strike a deal and vote on it before the midnight deadline.
But as of 4:30 p.m., Reid had not yet voiced his opinion on the budding deal, much less scheduled it for a vote on the Senate floor.
The House has said since before Christmas that it would wait to act until the Senate had first planned its course of action.
Now with the House pledging that it will not vote until tomorrow, the country is guaranteed to miss the Jan. 1 deadline, no matter what the Senate does.
We elect the same old people time and time again and then we expect different results, what the heck is wrong with us?
I love how today several Republicans (McCain, Corker, et al) are upset with Obama's comments today... they're afraid it'll "inflame" things. These guys have wanted Obama to kiss their a#@ for the last 4 years... sorry fellas...you've treated and talked to him and about him like crap. I'm glad he's "over" waiting for you folks to get your act together. Keep on Obama hatin', the rest of us need to move on.
Does anyone actually expect obma and his cohorts to negotiate in good faith about balancing the budget or stopping their out of control spending? If they did... much like trying to get jobs for the out of work... they would lose a majority of their voting block. As a taxpayer... I am overtaxed and DC needs to start cutting back and NOT wanting more from hard working taxpayers. We have had to cutback... they should HAVE to do it.
I say jump off all 3 cliffs and all things....
Raise taxes on everyone
Let sequester go through as-is
Don't extend unemployment
And when Obama needs to borrow more money say no..no until he presents a plan to reform entitlement spending.
The US went over the Fiscal Cliff and yet, life goes on. As far as I can tell, the stars, sun, and moon all remain in place. Folks, just remember that anything Congress does, Congress can undo: their motto is "What, me worry?"
Attention members of the United States House of Representatives: Each and every one of you are up for election in 23 months.
Please know there are many patriotic citizens who are tired of the gridlock and BS.
We want our elected representatives to put aside petty politics and work together for the good of our country.
Be warned -- we are watching closely, and we vote!