January 1st, 2013
07:23 AM ET

Senate passes package to avert fiscal cliff; House votes next

We may be into the new year, but we've still got a fiscal cliff vote to deal with.

After the Senate finally voted a full two hours after a midnight deadline on Tuesday, they passed a deal to avert the feared fiscal cliff on an 89-8 vote.

Read Senate bill (PDF)

Today, it will be the House of Representatives' turn, where the proposed package will go for a vote in the Republican-controlled chamber of Congress.

The package passed by the Senate would put off budget cuts for two months and preserve Bush-era income tax cuts for individuals earning less than $400,000 or couples earning less than $450,000.

"Glad it's over," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, after the vote. "We'll see if the Republicans in the House can become functional instead of dysfunctional."

A statement from House leadership made no promises.

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Filed under: Politics
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. Scott Downer

    This is getting out of hand.. Republicans must vote down any new tax"s . Not only does this take playing the Lottery a Donation for Government by taxing every one that plays or Wins the Lottery to give it to Government but Obama all ready took some of the funding from education . This is stealing !!!!!
    Were is the Dream to become wealthy if Government is going to take more then half of it and then when you die Government wants Half of your Dream ...Were does it Stop ??

    January 1, 2013 at 8:03 am | Report abuse |
  2. Pat Holland

    Glad we didn't go over the cliff ! I just have 2 questions that affect members of my family. Does this mean unemployment benefits are extended and insurance for persons with pre existing illness that will cover treatment.

    Thank You

    January 1, 2013 at 8:24 am | Report abuse |
  3. andy

    Scott, the dream to be wealthy was replaced by the dream to just be healthy and as happy as one can be without the corruption of too much money. Wealthy does not equal a fuller and richer life. I personally think that if what i see from the wealthy is indicative of the condition, i am not impressed... If a House wife of Hollywood can spend $60K on a 6 year olds birthday party, she can certainly pay some more taxes. No one has ever wanted to give up a dynasty. So, wealthy means that one has an abundance and therefore should be in a good position to contribute more... contribute not being voluntary as that is unlikely to be the case.

    January 1, 2013 at 8:39 am | Report abuse |
  4. jeff

    Let the cuts begin! Lets start with the millions of people
    on the government teet, Means testing is a must. If there
    are jobs going unfilled where you live, and you are able
    to fill that job, you must swallow your pride and take it.
    We can no longer afford to pay you to stay home!

    January 1, 2013 at 8:51 am | Report abuse |
  5. Joey Isotta-Fraschini ©™

    @ jeff's comment condoning work made it to the board, but my similar but stronger comment was censored.
    My intended post supported the morality of achievement, and of wealth.

    January 1, 2013 at 9:11 am | Report abuse |
    • s kel

      JIF sometimes this board just lets the devil has his say.

      January 1, 2013 at 9:27 am | Report abuse |
    • Censor Now Network

      oh jeez. The devil? Really skel? Stealing from the successful to foot the bill for the lazy? That's the devil in action. Or socialism in action. This is America in case you forgot. Ask the USSR how that worked out. Now watch all the negative comments roll in from people who expect free stuff to just magically appear without any consequences on the economy. Can't wait for the Insults. I'm waiting.

      January 1, 2013 at 1:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Censor now:
      S kel was referring to what posts are published.
      Want to simmer down, now?

      January 1, 2013 at 2:05 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Joey Isotta-Fraschini ©™

    Thank you, @ Mr. Zucker.
    As long as they censor you too, I guess it's all right, huh? Or something...
    Where did you get that stuff about freedom of the press? That doesn't seem very progressive.

    January 1, 2013 at 9:51 am | Report abuse |
  7. Mary

    (lazily batting my eyes while strolling by) Same old dog and pony show folks, as saywhat would say... nothing new here.
    They know what their doing as it's all pre-planed , why do you think they wait till the last minute and rush thru a last minute agreement every single year? As I've said before, I don't care much for politics. And yup, why do I even bother commenting? I'm on a break errands.

    January 1, 2013 at 3:21 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Mary

    *they're rather.

    January 1, 2013 at 3:23 pm | Report abuse |
  9. chrissy

    Lol, yup Censor Now, you must be talkin about CONGRESS eh? Biggest bunch of lifetime freeloaders this country has! Maybe they work half a year (doubtful on the work part) so ok they put in an appearance maybe half a year. Free cars, free gas, free food, free motels, hot inside tips to make a fortune! And gosh knows what else! 😉

    January 1, 2013 at 10:39 pm | Report abuse |
  10. chrissy

    McDonalds employees work harder than these fools for heckuva lot less! How bout they get min wage for about 3 months and maybe $5 a day for food? Isnt that whats expected of the poor working class? The ones that are l0 times more productive! Let em get a taste of THAT for a few months, might change theri whole outlook on life and maybe they will realize the privelege theyve been given with this job and start taking it serious. Because presently, monkeys in a zoo are more well behaved and conscientious!

    January 2, 2013 at 12:13 am | Report abuse |
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