You’re a mean one, Fiscal Cliff.
It’s become somewhat of a Grinchy holiday tradition in Washington: Make sure the flights are refundable, get the shopping done early and be ready to stay in town until something, hopefully, maybe, happens.
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This year is no different. With the fiscal cliff deadline looming and party leaders seemingly miles away from a deal, members of Congress are rearranging their travel schedules and crossing their fingers they’ll be able to make it home for at least a part of the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
It’s not looking good: The politics of making a deal are putting a damper on holiday cheer more than unwelcome relatives. Majority Leader Eric Cantor told Republican lawmakers on Tuesday to expect to stay in town through Christmas Eve and be ready to return immediately after Christmas Day. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) similarly signaled little progress had been made on a deal.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) joked that he may end up having Christmas dinner with a reporter in Washington if they couldn’t get out on time.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m telling you, my family wanted to do something this year around the holidays, and we just kind of said no,” Thune said of his travel plans, noting arrangements couldn’t be made far enough in advance.
“So day to day, just like you,” he said.
