In an unprecedented show of theatrics and legislative who do you think you are kidding posturing the United States Senate passed a set of measures designed to avoid the so called “fiscal cliff” two hours after the legal dead line for such a measure on January 1, 2013, at 2:00 a.m. The vote was 89 to 8 in favor of the agreement.
Among the many parts of the pieced together bill was a move to cut the 27 percent reduction in payments to physicians that treat Medicare patients. This was a mainstay of Obamacare.
The legislation heads to the U. S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 1, 2012, where no one that takes breath expects any quick decision but one may miraculously come as early as 1:00 p.m. EST so the Congresspersons can get home for a late New Years dinner.
Alabamaians should note that Senator Richard Shelby was one of the no votes while Senator Jeff Sessions voted yes. This is a typical split when money for the wealthy is concerned.
Vice President Joe Biden was a premiere example of the New Years spirit claiming the legislation could not have happened without him.
The next unlikely hurdle for this legislation will be President Barak Obama signing a bill that takes a major part of Obamacare off the table. Again no one in their right mind is holding their breath.
The only realistic coverage of this event seems to come from China’s Xinhua News where the headline reads “U. S. Congress misses "fiscal cliff" deadline”. This is indeed what actually happened.
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