Top Links: Republicans playing fiscal cliff hot potato

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Top Links: Republicans playing fiscal cliff hot potato

We’re about to go over the fiscal cliff, like Butch and Sundance. That and more of what we’ll be discussing at 4 p.m.

House Speaker John Boehner is telling Senate Democrats: The fiscal cliff ball is in your court.ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dec. 27, 2012, 11:45 AM EST

By John Flowers

We’re about to go over the fiscal cliff, like Butch and Sundance. That and more of what we’ll be discussing at 4 p.m.

We’re cliff diving, people. And right now, instead of a “grand bargai,” we’ve got legislative hot potato. (Politico)

After scoring what was essentially an “own goal” with its Plan B, Boehner & Co in the House are telling Senate Democrats: Your turn. (National Journal) and (Washington Post)

However, “Democrats say they need assurances from [Sen.] McConnell that he will not use procedural tactics to delay any potential bill for an interim solution to avert the fiscal crisis.” (The New York Times)

But McConnell may be wary of a far right primary challenger in 2014. (Bloomberg)

Treasury Sec. Geithner is taking actions to avoid hitting the debt limit—however he’s unsure how long they will last. (Roll Call)

“The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center has said that, all told, taxpayers would face more than $500 billion in larger bills in 2013 if Washington does nothing.” (The Hill)

The crew at Wonkblog has your best—albeit most depressing —chart on how gun violence affects almost all age groups. (Wonkblog)

The Supreme Court won’t block the Obama health care law’s contraception mandate. (The Hill)

Welcome, Sen-elect Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. (Chad Pergram)

And for fun’s sake, Buzzfeed gives us the 36 best political GIF’s of the year. (Buzzfeed Politics)

John Flowers