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First Word: Stalemate continues

Speaker John Boehner and other House Republican leaders held a conference call Wednesday to discuss a possible pathway around the fiscal cliff.
Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, joined by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., left, speaks to reporters about the fiscal cliff negotiations at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, joined by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., left, speaks to reporters about the fiscal cliff negotiations...

Speaker John Boehner and other House Republican leaders held a conference call Wednesday to discuss a possible pathway around the fiscal cliff. The GOP leaders released a statement that indicated they are waiting on the Senate to pass legislation, so that the House can then consider and amend the two bills that "would avert the fiscal cliff if enacted." The House leadership's statement follows a holiday recess in which a stalemate continues on a deal to avoid major tax increases and spending cuts slated for January. President Obama and members of the Senate will return to Washington Thursday to land on an agreement to avoid the economic and fiscal repercussions.

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