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House Votes ‘Yes’ on Senate ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Bill

Jan. 1, 2013 8:42pm Becket Adams

[Editor's note: The bill passed the House by a vote of 257-167. Scroll down to see updates to this story.]

Republican Controlled House Votes to Pass Amendment Less Version of the Senates Fiscal Cliff Deal

Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, center, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., right, arrive for the House Republican Conference meeting on the fiscal cliff legislation in the Capitol, Jan. 1, 2013. (Bill Clark/Roll Call/Getty Images)

The Republican-controlled House is preparing a vote tonight on the “Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012,” the “fiscal cliff” bill passed last night at 1:58 a.m. ET by the U.S. Senate.

House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) says he expects “strong bipartisan support” for passage of #fiscalcliff bill.

— Ed O’Keefe (@edatpost) January 2, 2013

Preparation for the House’s passage of the “fiscal cliff” deal struck by the Senate has been marked by confusion and anger from conservative leaders.

“I do not support the bill. We are looking, though, for the best path forward,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said after a meeting with the party’s rank-and-file.

Some believe his decision to speak out against the bill while Speaker Boehner (R-Ohio) has remained relatively silent may signal that Rep. Cantor has his eyes on the speakership.

A handful of GOP House members fought to amend the Senate bill so that it would include more cuts. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) vowed that he would “absolutely not take up the bill” if it involved amendments to the Senate’s original “cliff” deal.

“We’ve gone as far as we can go,” said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), “I think people are ready to bring this to a conclusion, and know we have a whole year ahead of us” to continue the fight over spending.

The Senate’s bill puts off the automatic spending cuts (i.e. the “sequester”) for two months. It also calls for about $600+ billion in new tax hikes while cutting only a fraction of that amount in government spending. In fact, for every $41 that is raised in taxes, only $1 will be cut.

Also, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate’s “fiscal cliff” bill will add $4 trillion over a decade to federal deficits.

And in case you were wondering about whether a spending bill originated in the Senate (as opposed to lower chamber), here’s an explanation:

The Senate cliff bill is a massive amendment to a House-passed bill, thus complying with Const. prov. that House must originate tax bills.

— Brit Hume (@brithume) January 1, 2013

“I personally hate it,” said Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.). “The speaker the day after the election said we would give on taxes and we have. But we wanted spending cuts. This bill has spending increases. Are you kidding me? So we get tax increases and spending increases? Come on.”

Unsurprisingly, House Democrats are all for the vote.

“That is what we expect. That is what the American people deserve,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

UPDATE – Folks, we may be in for a late one:

My colleague @jacksonjk reports House GOP leadership aides estimate vote on #fiscalcliff final passage between 11:15 p.m. and 11:45 p.m

— Major Garrett(@MajorCBS) January 2, 2013

Also, unlike last night’s Senate vote, the House is moving at lightning speed to get this deal through:

House debate on #fiscalcliff rule is moving VERY, VERY, VERY fast.

— Jill Jackson (@jacksonjk) January 2, 2013

Voting has begun:

House now voting on debate rule for the Senate-passed fiscal cliff bill. Once approved, House begins hour debate on that, no amendments.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 2, 2013

UPDATE II: First hurdle cleared:

Rule to get to the fiscal cliff bill passes by wide margin, not a surprise

— Ed Henry (@edhenryTV) January 2, 2013

The House will now take an hour to debate the Senate-backed “cliff” deal. After that, the House will vote for its final passage.

A little food for thought while we wait. First, from Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.): “We owe Nancy Pelosi a real debt of gratitude for being where we are today.”

Second, from Sen. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas):

Gohmert: I’d like to thank the other side for finally recognizing that the other 98% of Americans saw a tax cut under Bush.

— Bill Murphy (@billmurphy) January 2, 2013

The vote is scheduled for 11:00 p.m. ET.

UPDATE III (10:00 p.m. ET) — While we wait on the House to debate the bill, here’s a dramatization of America going over the “fiscal cliff” (which is really more of a hill anyway):

UPDATE IV: With the blessing of the Speaker, the “fiscal cliff” deal has passed the House.

Breaking with Rep. Boehner, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) voted “no” on the measure. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), however, voted “yea.”

Cantor spox: “Leader Cantor is very proud of Speaker Boehner and our entire conference for fighting the good fight”

— Daniel Newhauser (@dnewhauser) January 2, 2013

Thus ends the Paul Ryan 2016 Presidential Exploratory Committee.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) January 2, 2013

Boehner/Ryan — most prominent ayes. McCarthy/Cantor — most prominent nays. Intrigue in the GOP ranks.

— Robert Costa (@robertcostaNRO) January 2, 2013

Here’s a complete list of the 85 Republicans who voted “yes” to the Senate backed measure:

House Votes ‘Yes’ on The Senate’s ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Bill

Shortly after passing the bill, President Obama held a press conference to thank Congress for its work and vowed going forward to avoid any more dramatic fights over the country’s financial woes.

“I will not have another debate with this Congress over the debt ceiling,” the president said.

The president will depart later this evening to resume his Hawaiian vacation:

With bill passed, Pres Obama flying back to Hawaii tonight to resume vacation with family still there.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 2, 2013

Final Thought: Our “final thought” comes via senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University Veronique de Rugy:

Rs who voted for this bill that raises taxes& spending and postpones sequester to cancel it later make French socialists look like Reagan.

— Veronique de Rugy (@veroderugy) January 2, 2013

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

All photos courtesy the AP. This article is being updated … a lot.

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Comments (388)

Beachmastermax
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:13am
This had to happen. Think about it tomorrow. Go get some sleep.

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kritacul
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:13am
Well Paul Ryan can kiss my @$$. Him and the rest of these so called “Conservatives” who voted FOR this bogus “deal”. Btw and of course John Boehner voted for it. Screw you all, you damn RINOs(google it if you don’t know). But kinda in a surprise, Eric Cantor was firmly against it. I want sanity back in DC.

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- Joel Knows
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 1:20am
  To provide sanity back in Washington DC will take a whole lot of people praying for an act of God!
  
  Report this comment
bamanana
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:10am
Today I emailed my 2 senators (MS) & let them know that as an independent I would never vote for them or their party ever again. I also emailed my congressman & reminded him of his pledge as a “conservative” that he made to us his constituents & am waiting to receive my update on how he voted. To me the republicans are just like the dems. we have to start now with a 3rd party to represent the 50 million plus who are without a party that represents us or it’s revolution.

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- hjablo
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:24am
  I agree with you, a lot of folks including myself feel betrayed. Any ideas that you have on how to get just representation and organize it into a viable force, please advise. Thanks.
  
  Report this comment
pennx300
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:09am
Right now would be a good time to tie the voter I.d. Requirement on to this deal
I would love to see obama turn the plane around and head back to Washington
Before it lands in hawaiii .

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kritacul
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:08am
Well Paul Ryan can kiss my @$$. Him and the rest of these so called “Conservatives” who voted FOR this bogus “deal”. Btw and of course John Boehner voted for it. Screw you all, you damn RINOs(google it if you don’t know). But kinda in a surprise, Eric Cantor was firmly against it.

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Paulhgreenbay
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:06am
See, I told you. Obama is saying this is great but we need to invest further. LOLOLOL! Interpretation: BOHICA, next tier down prepare to do your part like the top we just took money from. He will keep up this song and dance until everyone that currently pays taxes ends up paying more. It’s going to be like a scratched record. He will just tell the sheep “I have made everyone above you pay more, now it’s your turn”.

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OUT THE REGRESSIVES
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:06am
Again, the Republican and Democrat Parties are dead.
They are now the Progressive Rino (PR) and Big Socialist (BS) Parties.

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welovetheUSA
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:05am
Why would they go along with this insanity…..they need not fear Obama …the republicans are already treated like idoits…let the democrats carry the water…nothing to lose,..

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fooltx
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:02am
a bunch of spineless weasels, time for change in a big way, vote them out before AMERICA as we know it is done.

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Brother Winston Smith
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:59pm
Had enough?

The Constitution Party.
The Libertarian Party.
State nullification.
NOW!

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BigMuddy
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:58pm
Unfortunately, our country is a drunk that will not admit the obvious. It will continue to lie, make excuses, blame others and attempt to cover up its addiction to taxing and spending and usurping the rights of the individual until nothing is left. Only when the US hits rock bottom will there be a chance for redemption. Unfortunatley, in the meantime the risk taking small businesses will be destroyed in the process and the promise of freedom and economic propserity will be lost.

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hjablo
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:55pm
I’m a conservative independent, who has been voting Republican on the state and national level. However, after this vote, I will not vote Republican until I see a drastic change in the make-up of the party and a real commitment to conservative values. If that means only voting on local and state issues (not candidates), then so be it. First, the presidential fiasco, now this, I’m done with these creeps.

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Beachmastermax
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:53pm
CALM DOWN!!!!!!!

The battle is at the debt limit cieling VOTE.

Today they voted for permanent tax cuts (bush) for 450 or less.

GET A GRIP!!!

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- katzkiner
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:14am
  Beach wish you were correct. However we were told $41 tax increase for $1 in spending cuts. Permanent. tax cuts would be fine. That is not what we have been told.
  
  Report this comment
- revelation2012
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:15am
  ‘O’ has played all of us for ‘fools’
  
  divide and conquer
  
  WE MUST UNITE!!!
  
  we must STOP all the divisive ‘talking’
  
  IT’S TIME FOR STEALTH MODE,,,,
  
  Report this comment
- katzkiner
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:38am
  Found an article from the Washington Post. The 4T in spending is actually the cost of extending the Bush Tax Cuts. Seems it is not new spending as presented. Blood pressure is going down. We wanted the Bush Tax Cuts permanent. OK.
  
  Report this comment
- katzkiner
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:44am
  The Washington Post broke it down. The $4T is not new spending, it is the cost of making the Bush Tax Cuts permanent.
  
  Report this comment
katzkiner
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:52pm
Now, on with the GUN BAN! Screw you dumb citizens, we da guvment. We all multi-millionaires. We stole it from YOU. Shut up, turn in those guns. We call the shots. Now you understand.

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LIBERTARIAN_CONSPIRATOR
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:52pm
I call SHENANIGANS!

Take and spend, that is all this government understands! Guess we are just going to go the way of the PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain.)

Disgust doesn’t even describe what I feel for my Government!!!

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ScarletRose
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:52pm
“The vote of your opponents is the most honorable mark by which the soundness of your conduct could be stamped. I claim the same honorable testimonial. There was but a single act of my whole administration of which [the opposing] party approved… And when I found they approved of it, I confess I began strongly to apprehend I had done wrong, and to exclaim with the Psalmist, ‘Lord, what have I done that the wicked should praise me?’” –Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 1812. ME 13:162

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sbenard
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:51pm
Quite telling that the bill passed with mostly Democrat votes. It tells me what this bill was really all about — advancing the tyranny of progressivism.

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Beachmastermax
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:51pm
They are NOW saying just what I posted all day…today it was a vote for a tax cut….yesterday it was a vote for a tax increase… the battle goes to the debt limit increase.

Bring decreases in spending or no increases!!!

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dadsrootbeer
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:48pm
Bye bye Boehner.

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- Brother Winston Smith
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 12:01am
  Bye bye LEFTIST REPUBLICAN PARTY.
  
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Beachmastermax
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:47pm
They are saying just what I posted all day…today it was a vote for a tax cut….yesterday it was a vote for a tax increase… the battle goes to the debt limit increase.

Bring decreases in spending or no increases!!!

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Friendofthe56
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:47pm
To review, in part, what started this grand experiment in Liberty and Freedom ..

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and thepursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such
Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

In 2010, We the People said, “Stop the spending!” We’re stll shouting, STOP THE SPENDING!” Maybe it’s time to turn the money spigot off. Fiscal Revolution.

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Joel Knows
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:47pm
Republicans = Cave Men! Republicans put up what looks like a protest, then they just CAVE!

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SandyfromChesterfield
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:47pm
Congressman Akin voted against the bill. A true conservative voted out of office. Way to go Missouri!

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- DZ-015
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 8:59am
  Todd Akin quit his job in the House to run for the Senate from MO. He was replaced in his original job by another Republican, Ann Wagner. He lost his Senate run because of his off the cuff & off the wall statement on rape, followed by his arrogant refusal to withdraw from the race despite the urging of party officials. All he had to do was look at what happened to George Allen in VA in 2006, to realize that his goods were irreparably damaged. Of course, Allen failed in his attempt at a comeback last year as well, even though his former seat became open due to Jim Webb’s decision to step down. At least Akin voted against the fiscal cliff farce before his ignominious exit from the Capitol.
  
  Report this comment
- checkingbothsides
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 1:36pm
  For one, this Missourian is glad we showed some sense. I mean, really? Mr. Legitimate Rape is who you wanted as your Senator? Plus, the guy was just all around creepy and everybody knew it. Any reasonable Republican would have beaten Claire. Next time run one.
  
  Report this comment
ScarletRose
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:45pm
All the GOP who voted FOR this mess are ENABLERS of MARXISTS with NO HEART for the Constitution. Prolly the same ones who voted to set this situation up 12 years ago.

I have already used a lot of words to describe how much I despise them. I cannot use the TRUE WORDS JUSTICE DEMANDS.
But they are the SAME TRAITORS as the DIMS, as INSURGENT FOREIGN AGENT “OBAMA”.

He [King George III] has erected a multitude of New Offices and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.” Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence,

Thomas Jefferson: The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God.

“Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force.” Thomas Jefferson

“On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?” Thomas Jefferson

“The system of banking [is] a blot left in all our Constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction, which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption, and is sweeping away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens.” Thomas Jefferson

“Paper is poverty… it is only the ghost of money, and not money itself.”

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possom
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:44pm
Friggin idiot politician’s!

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