SALON

A timeline for ‘fiscal cliff’ negotiations

Topics: From the Wires,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Here are some key dates for negotiations involving the White House and congressional leaders to avert the year-end series of federal tax increases and spending cuts known as the “fiscal cliff”:

— It’s unclear if and when a deal may be reached, but it’s unlikely to be before Christmas. Senators are expected to leave for their holiday break Thursday or Friday.

— Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said lawmakers would return to the Capitol on Dec. 27, the Thursday after Christmas, to try to hammer out a compromise.

— President Barack Obama’s family is expected to be in Hawaii for Christmas, but the president is hanging back for now in Washington.

— If lawmakers reach Dec. 31 without a deal, financial markets might start to fall. House Speaker John Boehner and Obama are working to avoid that crunch point.

— The current Congress is in session only through Jan. 2, so that is the deadline for it to approve a solution.

— Without an agreement, the tax increases and spending cuts would begin to go into effect and it would be up to the newly elected Congress that arrives Jan. 3 to try again for compromise.

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