Negotiations in DC: Obama Arrives, House Leaves

Kevin Glass | December 27, 2012 3:26 PM

President Obama cut his Hawaiian Christmas vacation short in order to come back to Washington, D.C. to, supposedly, hammer out a deal with Congress in order to address the looming fiscal cliff. There's only one problem: much of Congress won't be there.

The House of Representatives adjourned Thursday afternoon, only hours after President Obama touched down in Washington, D.C. While it was initially reported that they wouldn't be back until Monday, December 31 - the last day to totally avert the fiscal cliff - Jake Sherman discovered they'd be back in an emergency on Sunday.

House Republican leaders are bringing the House back into session on Sunday, lawmakers were told in a Thursday conference call.
Speaker John Boehner’s message to House Republicans is no different privately, than what he’s saying publicly.
“We are waiting on the Senate,” the Ohio Republican told lawmakers on a call restricted to the 241 lawmakers in the House Republican Conference

The House will be back in session on Sunday night, gaveling into session at 6:30 pm - an odd evening session, but appropriate in light of the pressing issues facing the nation.

Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office has communicated that the House may be in session from Sunday through Wednesday - meaning they'll be in action through the New Year celebration. Here's hoping none of the members had big New Year's plans!