Satan Wrote The Fiscal Cliff Bill

Christie Slams Boehner Over Sandy Aid

"This is why the American people hate Congress."

House Passes Fiscal Cliff Bill

Late last night the House passed the fiscal cliff bill approved by the Senate on Sunday night.

An agreement to stave off the harshest and most immediate consequences of the fiscal cliff won approval in the House late Tuesday. President Barack Obama said he would sign the law, the battle over which foreshadowed more fights with Congress over spending. Following a day of hectic wrangling on Capitol Hill — where the prospects for passing the bipartisan, Senate legislation regarding the fiscal cliff hung in the balance for much of New Year's Day — the House voted 257 to 167 to pass the belated compromise measure over the objections of many conservative Republicans.

President Obama immediately praised the action.

Senate Passes Fiscal Cliff Compromise

While the rest of us celebrated the New Year, the Senate passed a "compromise" fiscal cliff bill at about 2AM this morning.  Eight Senators voted against the bill and three did not vote.

The Senate approved a bipartisan agreement early Tuesday morning to let income taxes rise sharply for the first time in two decades, fulfilling President Obama’s promise to raise taxes on the rich and avoiding the worst effects of the “fiscal cliff.” The agreement, brokered by Vice President Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), passed 89 to 8 in a highly unusual New Year’s morning vote. It now heads to the House, where leaders have not guaranteed passage but top officials believe it could win passage in the next few days. The agreement primarily targets taxpayers who earn more than $450,000 per year, raising their rates for wages and investment profits. At the same time, the deal would protect more than 100 million households earning less than $250,000 a year from income tax increases scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.

House Majority Leader John Boehner has promised to bring the bill to the floor of his chamber by the end of the week.

LIVE VIDEO: Fiscal Cliff Negotiations

Click over to CSPAN and watch it live, if you can bear it.

Quote Of The Day - Cyndi Lauper

"In most cities across the country, resources to help LGBT youth are already scarce, and every night, thousands of young people are left to sleep on the street and find their own way through the dark. Cuts in federal funding for the programs that already stretch every dollar to help these kids would make this bad situation even worse. To think that these youth, who have already suffered rejection from their families, could be turned away from programs meant to give them a safe place to stay is an absolute outrage.

"And those cuts are just the beginning. If the fiscal showdown isn't resolved by the end of the year, funding will be slashed for federal agencies working to combat bullying and school violence against LGBT students, and will reduce financial aid and job placement programs that are critical bridges for LGBT youth who want to start a career or go to college. This is unacceptable." - Cyndi Lauper, writing about the fiscal cliff for Rolling Stone, where wingnuts have just found the post. Go read her full essay show her some love.

Koch Brothers Group Slams "Naughty" Republicans For "Treason" On Tax Reform

The wingnut Koch Brothers astroturf group Americans For Prosperity today launched a new "Merry Taxmas" website which slams top Republicans for "treason" over their dealings with the Obama administration regarding the fiscal cliff.  Soon to be former Sen. Jim DeMint tops the "nice" side of the site, which includes disparaging e-cards for followers to send to their traitorous reps. Infighting is hilarious, y'all.

UPDATE: Obviously, the naughty list includes some Dems.

Fiscal Cliff Prompts "Panic Home Selling" Among Hamptons Mega-Millionaires

The New York Daily News reports that the approaching fiscal cliff has prompted a rash of slashed mansion prices in the Hamptons.  Some homes have been marked down to only $20 million!

Hamptons homeowners have launched a selling spree, offering fire sale prices to get rid of their properties before higher capital gains tax rates are expected to kick in Jan. 1.  “There is a frenzy here right now,” said Enzo Morabito, a long-time Hamptons-based broker with Douglas Elliman. “People know they save money if they sell now. I have very willing sellers and hot buyers who want to take advantage of the low interest rates that might go away next year as well.” And the prices are being slashed to cut down on delays and to keep the capital gain from the tax man.  “We had a beachfront seller in Southampton who reduced his home 15% to $23 million this week,” said Paul Brennan, also of Douglas Elliman. “The window is closing. If you're anticipating any fiscal cliff, you better sell now.”

Hit the link for photos of these distressed properties.