We’re about to go over the fiscal cliff, like Butch and Sundance. That and more of what we’ll be discussing at 4 p.m.
- We’re cliff diving, people. And right now, instead of a “grand bargai,” we’ve got legislative hot potato. (Politico)
- After scoring what was essentially an “own goal” with its Plan B, Boehner & Co in the House are telling Senate Democrats: Your turn. (National Journal) and (Washington Post)
- However, “Democrats say they need assurances from [Sen.] McConnell that he will not use procedural tactics to delay any potential bill for an interim solution to avert the fiscal crisis.” (The New York Times)
- But McConnell may be wary of a far right primary challenger in 2014. (Bloomberg)
- Treasury Sec. Geithner is taking actions to avoid hitting the debt limit—however he’s unsure how long they will last. (Roll Call)
- “The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center has said that, all told, taxpayers would face more than $500 billion in larger bills in 2013 if Washington does nothing.” (The Hill)
- The crew at Wonkblog has your best—albeit most depressing —chart on how gun violence affects almost all age groups. (Wonkblog)
- The Supreme Court won’t block the Obama health care law’s contraception mandate. (The Hill)
- Welcome, Sen-elect Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. (Chad Pergram)
- And for fun’s sake, Buzzfeed gives us the 36 best political GIF’s of the year. (Buzzfeed Politics)
John Flowers