Progress towards a fiscal cliff deal?
Washington (CNN) - Is progress on a fiscal cliff deal in the cards?
If it is, it may be on a sheet of paper seen making the rounds on Capitol Hill Saturday.
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A top Democratic staffer with the Senate Finance Committee carried a piece of paper with what he said were revenue estimates into Senate Majority Leader Reid's office earlier Saturday afternoon.
A short time later, he carried a similar-looking piece of paper into Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's office.
The staffer left McConnell's office a short time later - but without that piece of paper.
He wouldn't comment on the talks other than to say the finance committee is facilitating the negotiations by crunching numbers.
A short time after the paper shuffling, a McConnell staffer delivered a manila envelope from McConnell's office to Reid's office.
The movement was among the few outward signs of progress visible to reporters camped outside the Capitol offices.
And it's a reminder that progress on a deal is incremental - in some cases, one sheet of paper at a time.
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Sunday afternoon?
I can't help myself. Every time I see McConnell on the news, I think about his declaration to not only make President Obama a one term president but also to deny Democrats any Republican support on major legilslation. I wonder how those intentions are (consciously or unconsciously) influencing him now?
He would be more comfortable on a woman's talk show...talking out of both sides of his mouth saying nothing...
We were in control for 4 years spent a bunch promised a lot but we do not have a budget to pay for it, so hey how about some donations, I am a community organizer, and a bit of a beggar..
Please let the embarrassment stop. We elect these people to get it done, to take care of business and they go home for Christmas without a deal. That is not what we pay them for. The Tea Party folks and right-wing nuts cases are taking us down, not forward.
"The definition of a zealot is someone who - having lost any idea of what his purpose was - now doubles down on his effort.
"The definition of a zealot is someone who - having lost any idea of what his purpose was - now doubles down on his effort
I hope they can reach a deal. It sometimes seems as if my own Republican party is happy when government operations are interrupted as a result of their own inability to negotiate. It's embarrassing.
agonizingly slow in fact
It's time for republicans to step up to the plate because they're the major reason we're in this economic mess aren't we..It's historic from Hoovers Great Depression in the 20's-30's to Bushs recent recession republicans stink on handling any economic problems and they know it but persue economics blindly anyway like a dog chasing a taxi and once caught don't know what to do with it,right!!And you remember its always the democrates that clean up your past messes haven't they in Roosevelt,Clinton and now Pres.Obama..You'd think after all your past economic failures you'd be smart and leave the economic portions of this country to democrates,it sure would be easier and things would get done wouldn't it!!But as usual you always let your arrogence overshadow your ignorence and that's why we're here now aren't we!!From now on I insist you leave things you don't know alone and let the adults,the democrates in the room just do their job,the one they're paid highly for!!
I just dont undestand the dems.they have this love vest with "TAX THE RICH TAX THE RICH" To many of you out there need to get a life. we should help the poor help them self. bring back the soup and bread lines.end welfare now!
You need to pass this national assertion. Period. Raise taxes on 250k or more earners. Listen to president. He is a wise guy.
ok the republicans is getting tired what about boehner is he getting tired as well its coming down to the money with these people and obama is ready to make his speech on the fiscal cliff
These people should have been dealing with this before the election quietly. Once the election was over, this should have been the top priority.
wiseup: I Think it is ironic. Norquist is threatening any repulican with being primaried out if they vote for the tax revenue increase on those incomes over $250k. But as usual they expect the middle class and elderly to foot the bill for the well to do. I would like to see congressmen have their salaries be with held until deal is made. same with debt ceiling. Congressman would not get paid until debt ceiling is setled. If T-party idiots wouldn't get paid because they want to see country go to hell., they might be a little more flexible.
wiseup:Boehner and traditional repulicans are probably regretting selling their souls to the T-party devils in the name of a short term fix of taking control of house. Now it appears the T-party seems to hold the power, as Boehner is weak and can't get any thing through house, that could also get senate to allow. congressmen should have to punch a time clock. get paid the going rate for your district or state. they might knock down $50k a year. they could earn $500.00 bonus for each bill passed.
Did they scan the papers to Reid, as he is not in his office?
Ooooooh. Ahhhhh. Probably just arguing over who will turn off the lights first.
Did they go left, right, around corners??......... OMG!! – @Marita.
This is really sad ! It shows just how divided a nation we have become ; even if a deal is struck its to late . They have humiliated America in the eyes of the world. Pragmatist rule and we the people are divided . Lobbyist and corporations choose our leaders while we vasculate over the scraps. Folks they laugh at us behind closed doors. The words sheep and cattle are used to describe us. Republican and democrats. alike. No offence intended less your a politician.
A deal?? that's what this no real deal bandaid is called now? The can is just being kicked down the road a ways because we the people accepted our lawmakers taking a year off to get re-elected.