WASHINGTON--So far, nine candidates--all Democratic--have filed with Illinois State Board of Elections for the seat vacated by former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.). The special primary in Feb. 26, and the winner in the heavily Democratic district essentially clinches the seat.

THE ROSTER SO FAR, ACCORDING TO ILLINOIS BOARD OF ELECTIONS FILINGS:

RAYBURN, CHARLES
721 EAST 152ND STREET
DOLTON, IL 60419 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

HAYNES, GREGORY
2660 EAST 200TH STREET
LYNWOOD, IL 60411 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

JONATHAN, VICTOR
formerly known as
VICTOR ONAFUYE until name changed on Oct 18, 2010
3580 SCHOOL DRIVE
COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, IL 60478 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

REYNOLDS, MEL "MR"
221 EAST 138TH STREET
DOLTON, IL 60419 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

HARRIS, NAPOLEON
1405 DUNFRIES STREET
FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

BEALE, ANTHONY A.
10005 SOUTH PRAIRIE
CHICAGO, IL 60628 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

KELLY, ROBIN
4203 CEDARWOOD LANE
MATTESON, IL 60443 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

HUTCHINSON, TOI W.
115 GRAYMOOR LANE
OLYMPIA FIELDS, IL 60461 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

EAGLETON, CLIFFORD J.
174 EAST 153RD STREET
HARVEY, IL 60426 2ND CONGRESS
DEMOCRATIC

House Speaker John Boehner greets Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) prior to the start of a Joint Session of Congress. January 4, 2013. (Official Photo by Bryant Avondoglio)

WASHINGTON-- Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) was greeted by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) near the House chamber on Friday, before Congress met in a joint session to officially count the electoral votes. Kirk returned to the Senate on Thursday following nearly a year absence due to his stroke.

I watched some of the joint session from the House Gallery on Friday and was struck that in this era of e-mail, the official proclamations from each state were printed certificates of electoral votes on legal blue backs. It took only about 30 minutes for the tally, with 270 to win.

President Barack Obama of the State of Illinois and Vice President Joe Biden 332 electoral votes.

Republicans Mitt Romney of the State of Massachusett and his running mate Paul Ryan 206 votes.

Spotted on the House floor: Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), sworn-in on Thursday.

WASHINGTON--Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) switched to the House Judiciary Committee in order to push immigration reform, with Democratic House leadership in Friday finalizing appointments for the new Congressional session that started on Thursday. The House Judiciary Committee handles most of the key immigration legislation.

Last month, I wrote how Gutierrez has quietly been alliances with Republicans to work on immigration reform, meeting with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) both potential 2016 GOP presidential contenders.

In making the move, Gutierrez gave up considerable seniority on the House Financial Services panel, where he would have been the third ranking Democratic. Under House Democratic rules, Gutierrez can take a "leave" from the committee, preserving his ability to return at another time.

"Giving up 20-plus years of seniority on Financial Services, even temporarily, is not easy, but passing comprehensive immigration reform is my passion and my commitment to my constituents and immigrants all across our country," Gutierrez said.

"All of the road signs are pointed in the right direction, and I felt I must be on the Judiciary Committee during this Congress to help the others on the Committee get immigration reform to the finish line. We are poised for serious action to fix our broken immigration system, a top priority for Democrats, for the Democratic Leadership, and for the President, and I have spoken to numerous Republicans in the House and Senate who want to get it done.

"We have record levels of deportations and millions of families separated by borders and out-of-date laws. We can't wait and wait and wait for immigration reform, and I am finding an enthusiasm for action that I have not seen on Capitol Hill for years.

"One of the main obstacles to a serious conversation on immigration reform was the small group of people holding the issue hostage to the notion that 12 million people had to leave the country and no new legal immigrants could be added. That argument is dead and the funeral was on Election Night when Gov. Romney and his hard line approach fell in stunning defeat and the overwhelming majority of Latino voters rejected the Republican approach.

"Now we need all hands on deck to make sure that legislation moves and that it makes our immigration system work for the American people first and foremost and for both new immigrants and those who are already here. We need an immigration system that is as smart and generous as the American people and that serves the needs of our 21st Century economy. What we have now is two- or three-decades out of date and separates families, keeps people locked in the underground, and does not live up to the expectations the American people have for an immigration system that has always been such a crucial aspect of our nation's identity.

"I appreciate the seriousness with which the Democratic Leadership and my Democratic colleagues are taking with this issue and for allowing me to adjust my committee assignments so that I could continue to lead on the immigration issue. I look forward to working with the Chairman and the Subcommittee Chairmen and the Ranking Member, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), and the Immigration Subcommittee Ranking Leader, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), in crafting bipartisan immigration reform that fixes our broken immigration system."

WASHINGTON--Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) snagged a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee on Friday. If Quigley had not been tapped, Illinois otherwise would have lost representation on the influential panel--where now former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) served before his resignation.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Friday the final round of appointments for the new Congress that started on Thursday.

Pelosi told the Sun-Times, "Quigley will bring the values of his district, the aspirations of his constituents, and a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and job creation to his work on the Appropriations Committee.

"Ever since coming to Congress, he has proven himself a dedicated fighter for middle class families in Chicago and across the country, and he will contribute that same energy, passion, and perseverance to the task of determining where and how we invest public funds to strengthen our economy."

Quigley had been lobbying to get the seat.

"This new role is an incredible opportunity to advocate for important projects that encourage economic development in the Chicago area," said Quigley. "As the Appropriations Committee focuses on deficit reduction, creating American jobs and strengthening our economy, I am humbled to have the privilege of ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly."

Since joining Congress, Quigley has been a member of the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform Committees.

Quigley was first elected to Congress in April, 2009 in a special election to replace then Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) who was stepping down to serve as chief of staff for President Barack Obama.

WASHINGTON -- With much tenderness, Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin helped Sen. Mark Kirk take off his coat, no easy task for a recovering stroke victim, much less one coming back to work Thursday for the first time in almost a year.

Kirk walked into the Capitol after climbing the Senate steps as Biden and Manchin (D-W.Va.) gripped his arms -- into the next phase of his Senate career.

I watched a few feet away as Biden, 70, in a fatherly manner, fussed to make sure that Kirk, 53, was comfortable.

After all, Biden has been there himself. He had a brush with death in 1988, when he was felled by a brain aneurysm.

Thursday was a day of celebrating Kirk's comeback as the 113th Congress convened.

After covering the bitter, partisan, almost round-the-clock fiscal cliff battles of the past week, I saw everybody put acrimony aside and hit the pause button on Thursday with swearing-in festivities filling the Capitol. The return of Kirk, a Republican from Highland Park, added to the upbeat mood on the Senate side.

Senate Chaplain Barry Black talked about Kirk's homecoming in his opening prayer. "We praise you that today your conquering spirit has brought our beloved Senator Mark Kirk back to work in these hallowed halls," he said.

The bipartisan show of support for Kirk, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), said the bipartisan show of support for Kirk was "evidence that a lot of us, regardless of party affiliation, can come together to show the human side of politics."

Kirk's re-emergence -- the public Senate stair-climbing especially -- marked a personal triumph of grit and determination to relearn how to speak and walk after he suffered a stroke on Jan. 21, the day froze his Senate career, which had been a work-in-progress. Kirk joined the Senate in November, 2010 after serving five terms in the House of Representatives.

Kirk resumes a Senate course that will depend, I suspect, on how fast he continues to gain strength and endurance. For all the inspirational photos and video of Kirk climbing the Senate steps to walk in the chamber with the Capitol dome in the background, he left in a wheelchair.

Most of the photos and video of Kirk taken on Wednesday, when he did a round of one-on-one interviews with Chicago outlets in the Capitol, showed him sitting in a chair looking very senatorial. When by chance I ran into him after he wrapped up with the other reporters -- he was in a wheelchair, getting around with the assistance of his devoted, protective staffers and looking dog-tired. He struggled with the few words we exchanged as he was gracious enough to make the effort to greet me.

In the new Congress, Kirk is retaining his committee assignments: Appropriations, Banking, Housing and Urban Development, Aging and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Now that he's back, there are three issues where Kirk can make a difference: Two may be coming up soon and another is more long-term.

The horrible massacre at the Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Conn., has revived the congressional gun-control debate. Biden is leading the Obama administration task force to figure out ways to curb gun violence. Kirk, in his House career, was a leading Republican on gun-control issues. Will Kirk take the GOP Senate lead?

Will Kirk join in efforts to scuttle the potential nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) as Defense secretary? Kirk has long focused on defending Israel and toughening sanctions on Iran. Hagel is at odds with Kirk's positions on both fronts.

For the lousy luck of getting hit with a stroke, a good place to be living if it happens is in the Chicago area. Kirk was an in-patient at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, landing there in February, a month after the opening of the institute's new experimental Patient Recovery Unit and Ability Lab. Kirk was the first patient to serve as a lab rat for the institute's post-stroke walking research -- all federally funded.

After three months, Kirk returned home to Highland Park, where he continued outpatient treatment either at the hospital downtown or at its suburban Wheeling facility.

Kirk's office organized a news conference with his Rehab Institute medical team at the Capitol on Thursday to highlight the institute's great accomplishments. Kirk's doctors and physical therapist said that over the past 11 months Kirk has received hundreds of sessions of occupational, physical and speech therapy.

That's vastly more treatments than any insurance provides, whether private or Medicaid, the federal-state program for the needy. While the RIC is a Chicago treasure, the answer, however charitable, seems not just a fund-raising drive to help one institution.

Expanding Medicaid treatments for stroke victims could be a goal -- but Congress, post-fiscal cliff, in a few weeks will be grappling again with cutting federal spending. Kirk has a newfound interest on helping people get coverage for more treatments. How he leads on this will matter.

WASHINGTON--A year after a stroke, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) made a triumphant return to the Senate on Thursday, climbing the stairs to the chamber with Vice President Joe Biden and others as his colleagues applauded his come back. Sun-Times photographer Jon Sall captured the climb.

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) climbed the Senate steps on Thursday to return to the chamber after a year absence following his stroke. Sun-Times videographer Jon Sall captured Kirk's momentous return.

Sen. Dick Durbin // Drew Angerer by Getty

WASHINGTON--Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Thursday urged members of the Illinois General Assembly to legalize gay marriage in Illinois as the measure faced an unexpected roadblock in the Illinois State Senate on Wednesday.

In a letter to state lawmakers sent Thursday Durbin said he rarely intervenes in measures pending in Springfield "But as a citizen of this Land of Lincoln I want to be clearly on record in regard to an issue of historic importance.

"I believe those whom God has brought to this Earth with a different sexual orientation and who seek a loving relationship in the eyes of the law should be given that opportunity.

"I urge you to vote for Marriage Equality in Illinois so that our state can be part of the emerging national consensus on this issue of justice.

(Complete text of the letter is below.)

Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney is reporting the measure "suffered an unexpected setback Wednesday when supporters fell two votes shy of getting the legislative hearing they wanted, meaning no Senate vote on the measure until Thursday at the earliest.The 28-24 procedural vote showed the razor-thin margins surrounding the contentious issue and clearly caught backers off-guard, thwarting their plan to advance the measure to the Senate floor Wednesday night."

Durbin's letter is the latest push from key Democratic elected officials urging the state legislature to pass the gay marriage bill. Earlier, President Barack Obama also issued a state urging his former colleagues to vote yes.

LETTER FROM SEN. DICK DURBIN TO MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

January 3, 2013

Dear Friend,

I don't often write to express my position on issues before the General Assembly.

But as a citizen of this Land of Lincoln I want to be clearly on record in regard to an issue of historic importance.

I believe those whom God has brought to this Earth with a different sexual orientation and who seek a loving relationship in the eyes of the law should be given that opportunity.

I urge you to vote for Marriage Equality in Illinois so that our state can be part of the emerging national consensus on this issue of justice.

In America every religion has a right to establish standards for its members and to express its position on moral issues for consideration by its faithful and others.

This law would not change that and no religion, including my own Catholic faith, would be mandated to bless same-sex marriages.

Two years ago at the ceremony when President Obama signed the law repealing "Don't ask, don't tell", a Jewish Rabbi gave a memorable invocation.

He said when you look into the eyes of another if you don't see the face of God at least see the face of another human being.

Every generation is given a chance to put an end to some form of discrimination in America. As you consider this historic vote, I hope you will reflect on those you will meet after it is cast.

An affirmative vote will give you a chance to look into the eyes of those who have faced discrimination throughout their lives and tell them that you voted to affirm their rights under the law.

My own views on this issue have evolved over the years and as I reflect on my support for marriage equality, I have concluded that ending this discrimination is consistent with the evolution of civil rights in our democracy - a process served so nobly by a former member of the Illinois General Assembly, Abraham Lincoln.

Thank you for your service to our state.

- United States Senator Dick Durbin

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) escorted up Senate steps Thursday with Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va. and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) (photo by Jon Sall)

WASHINGTON--After climbing the steps to the Senate, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), arms held by Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W-Va.) entered the chamber Tuesday morning to a burst of applause, returning a year after he suffered a stroke.

Once in, Biden--a former Senator-- lingered by Kirk's desk as did Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). As Sen. John McCain (R-Az.)approached, the two men hugged and Kirk snapped off a salute.

A few minutes earlier, Kirk climbed up the Senate steps to mark his return, using a leg brace and a cane with four prongs--and mainly with the help of Biden and Manchin, his closest friend in the Senate.

Biden, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nv.) and many lawmakers-including from the Illinois House delegation--turned out to pay tribute to Kirk, lining the steps at the Capitol leading to the Senate chamber.

The lawmakers applauded as Kirk counted off the steps.

Reid shared what he told Kirk: "I just told him he looks so good and it is an act of courage I admire so very, very much.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said "It's a great personal triumph. It's very moving. It is great to see a courageous guy fight back and come back."

Sen. John McCain (R-Az.) who has known Kirk since he first ran for an Illinois House seat said, "we are all very happy and we are joyful that he is doing so well. It is a wonderful thing to have him back."

"Nice to see you guys," Kirk said to the press waiting outside the Senate chamber doors.

What is is like to be back?

"Feels great," Kirk said.

What does he return represent"

Quipped Kirk, "for Joe and I to be a dynamic duo."

Kirk's comeback almost a year after his Jan. 21 stroke, followed by three brain surgeries and months of intensive rehabilitation.

As the Senate launched a new session near noon, Senate Chaplain Barry Black took note of Kirk's return in his opening prayer. "We praise you that today your conquering spirit has brought our beloved Senator Mark KIrk back to work in these hallowed halls," he said.

McConnell and Reid applauded Kirk from the Senate floor.

"The fact that Mark's here today says a lot about his tenacity, his dedication, and his commitment to the people of Illinois. I'm told that about two-thirds of the patients in the facility where he's been recovering over the past year don't return to work; but true to form, Mark opted for an experimental rehabilitation program so grueling it's been compared to military boot camp," McConnell said, referring to Kirk's treatment at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Continued McConnell, "His staff counted 45 steps from the parking lot to the front door of the Senate, and during his treatment, he made walking those steps his goal. Today, he did it. So we admire him for his spirit, and we applaud his achievement. It's wonderful to have him back, ready to work."

Said Reid, "Senator Kirk, you have been missed."

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rep.-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) (photo by Jon Sall)

Rep.-elect William Enyart, (D-Ill.), Rep.-elect Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Rep.-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) (photo by Jon Sall)

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Rep.-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) (Photo by Jon Sall)

Rep.-elect Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), rock singer Joe Walsh, Rep.-elect Cheri Bustos (Photo by Jon Sall)

WASHINGTON--The new Congress gets sworn in at noon Thursday. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ill.) is expected to be re-elected Speaker. When the new House members take their oath of office, Illinois will have six freshmen, a Republican, Rodney Davis and five Democrats, Tammy Duckworth, Cheri Bustros, Brad Schneider, Bill Foster and William Enyart.

On Wednesday evening, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) hosted a reception attended by the new members.

My post on the new committee assignments for the freshmen is HERE.

WASHINGTON--More details are emerging on the return of Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) to the Senate chamber on Thursday after being absent nearly a year because of a stroke. On Sunday, I reported that if all goes as planned, Kirk plans to walk up the Senate steps to be greeted by Vice President Joe Biden.

It turns out that in addition, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sent a "Dear Colleague" letter on Monday inviting the entire Senate to also hail his return on the steps.

"As you know, Senator Mark Kirk has been working very hard to return to the Senate after suffering a serious stroke," the letter says. "He has spent many months in intensive therapy in order to walk again. On January 3, he will return to the Capitol.

"Many members, from both sides of the aisle, have been a real encouragement to Senator Kirk during this time. We intend to welcome him back to his duties in the Senate at 11:30 a.m. on January 3. Please join us in welcoming him back to the chamber. We will gather on the East Front steps of the Senate at 11:25 a.m. to demonstrate our support as Senator Kirk returns to the Senate."

Members of the Illinois House delegation are also expected at the event.

Thursday is the return of Kirk to the Senate chamber; he has been at his Senate office.

My column on Kirk's Senate homecoming is HERE.

WASHINGTON -- The drawn-out fiscal cliff drama ended Tuesday night with the House sending President Barack Obama legislation averting tax hikes that would have socked every earner in the nation.

The bill, meeting on New Year's Day, passed the House on a 257-167 bipartisan vote, coming with only hours to spare since the new Congress is being sworn-in at noon Thursday.

Shortly after the bill was passed, Obama talked about the "messy nature of the process" of the past few weeks that led to the compromise. Minutes later, he departed to fly back to Hawaii to resume his holiday vacation with his family.

"The fact is the deficit is still too high and we are still investing too little in the things that we need for the economy to grow as fast as it should," said Obama.

He noted that at earlier stages, he tried with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for a bigger deal. "Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough support or time for that kind of large agreement in a lame duck session of Congress."

Obama also dared Republicans to trigger another battle over the looming need to raise the debt ceiling. Congressional Republicans are already planning to do this to try to dictate spending cuts.

"I will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills that they have already racked up through the laws they have passed," said Obama.

The president had yet to set a date to sign Tuesday's bill.

Highlights of the deal call for income-tax rates to rise for individuals with incomes above $400,000 and married couples who earn above $450,000 -- a level that represents a Democratic concession -- since Obama had campaigned on boosting taxes on households making more than $250,000. Capital gains taxes would also rise for these higher-income earners.

Estates above $5 million would be taxed more -- from 35 percent to 40 percent, despite efforts by the GOP for no increase. Unemployment benefits set to expire would be extended for one more year.

Had Congress taken no action, federal tax hikes and a series of deep cuts in Pentagon and domestic spending would have started to be implemented starting Wednesday. Under the deal, those cuts will be postponed for two months.

And while Obama prevailed in his quest to have the wealthy pay more, the price he paid is another exhausting battle in a few weeks over spending cuts, this time linked to raising the nation's debt ceiling.

The vote came after a chaotic and historic 24 hours on Capitol Hill, starting at about 2 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday when the Senate approved -- on a 89-8 bipartisan roll call -- a fiscal cliff deal negotiated between Vice President Joe Biden and House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Less than 12 hours later, the deal almost unraveled when conservative GOP House members -- some with roots in the Tea Party movement -- led by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said at a closed-door meeting they would not support the Senate bill because it did not cut spending enough.

The internal GOP wrangling magnified festering divisions between Cantor and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio). If the House GOP derailed the bipartisan Senate deal, House Republicans were exposed to the very real political possibility that they would be blamed for saddling everyone with tax hikes in order to preserve tax breaks for top earners.

At a second closed-door meeting of GOP House members on Tuesday afternoon, moderate members who spoke out, including Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.), urged colleagues to take a reality check and not throw out the tax package.

The breakthrough came when Boehner made two key decisions. In order to address the concerns of the conservatives, he whipped, or polled, GOP members, asking them if they would support an amendment with deeper spending cuts. It failed to win support.

Next -- and most crucial -- Boehner allowed an up-or-down vote, putting aside Tuesday night governing through the "Hastert Rule," named for former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) whereby no legislation gets to the floor not supported by the party in power.

Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had been urging the up-or-down vote knowing that there would be enough Democratic votes to get to the 217 needed for passage. While there was some angst among Democratic progressives, there was no serious threat of Democratic defections.

The House vote ended a showdown that was entirely self-inflicted because of the congressionally imposed Dec. 31 fiscal cliff deadline installed in order to force members to act on the growing debt and deficit. Those harder questions, for now, will be left for another day.

In interviews, Democrats and GOP lawmakers from Illinois said each side gained in the compromise.

Rep. Bob Dold (R-Ill.) called the measure a "good deal," noting that "we are keeping rates low" for most U.S. workers.

"I do hope that there are going to be other opportunities to talk about reining in spending because we have to do that," Dold said.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said while Obama got his higher taxes on the wealthy, "in the long run, we do have to have a spending fight in this country."

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said, "we stopped taxes going up for 98 percent of Americans. We asked the rich to pay more. For the first time in 20 years, Republicans are being force to vote for higher taxes. This is a good deal."

Said Kinzinger of the next round of fiscal fights, within a few months, "this is all going to be down-to-the-wire stuff again."

WASHINGTON--Here is a breakdown on the House fiscal cliff roll call and how Illinois members voted. The measure was sent to President Barack Obama to sign on a 257-167 roll call. All Illinois House Democrats voted yes as did Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in the Senate.

REPUBLICANS
85 yes
151 no

DEMOCRATS
172 yes
16 no

ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS

no Republicans

Randy Hultgren
Peter Roskam
Bobby Schilling
Joe Walsh

yes Democrats

Jerry Costello
Danny Davis
Luis Gutierrez
Dan Lipinski
Mike Quigley
Bobby Rush
Jan Schakowsky

yes Republicans

Judy Biggert
Tim Johnson
Adam Kinzinger
Don Manzullo
Aaron Schock
John Shimkus
Bob Dold

WASHINGTON--The House was headed Tuesday night to vote on the fiscal cliff bill passed by the Senate setting the stage for President Barack Obama to sign legislation making permanent tax cuts for households with incomes below $450,000. The vote comes with only hours to spare, as the new Congress gets sworn in at noon Thursday.

The final vote was expected sometime after 11 p.m. ET.

The expected roll call comes after a hectic day of closed door meetings among House members, highlighted by internal GOP wrangling over whether to try to amend the bill passed early Tuesday morning in the Senate on an overwhelmingly bi-partisan 89-8 roll call.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) cleared the way for the anticipated vote when the decision was made by GOP House leadership for an up-or-down vote--a procedure that is not routine.

The Senate legislation was crafted through negotiations between Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Biden traveled to Capitol Hill Tuesday--his second visit in less than 24 hours-- to spend several hours briefing Democratic House members.

Meanwhile--at about the same time--the deal was close to unraveling when House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House--told his colleagues at their closed door meeting that he opposed the Senate bill.

This set in motion a flurry of GOP House temperature taking --that ended up going nowhere--to see if there were enough House members who wanted to amend the Senate bill in order to install more cuts. One Boehner demonstrated to his hard-liners there just were not enough Republican votes--his lieutenants whipped, or polled the matter--the way was cleared for the up-or-down vote.

The House is expected to approve the tax-and-spending measure on a robust bi-partisan roll call.

The no votes are expected from conservative GOP members who saw the Senate measure as not including enough spending cuts and from the most liberal Democrats who were unhappy that in the bargaining, the income threshold for raising tax rates went to $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for joint filers--up from the $250,000 level Obama campaigned on.

WASHINGTON--House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) joined other Democratic House leaders on Tuesday to pressure House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to have an up-or-down vote on the Senate fiscal cliff bill that passed 89-8. It's rare for the House to have a straight majority vote.

Click below for the entire transcript

Sun-Times Lynn Sweet to Pelosi: "Madam Leader, if there is an up or down vote, how many Democratic votes would you have, would you be able to deliver?"

Pelosi reply: "That isn't a subject that I will be talking about right now."

WASHINGTON--Vice President Joe Biden heads to Capitol Hill for the second time in less than 24 hours to broker deals for Congress to pass fiscal cliff legislation. Biden, the key White House negotiator with Senate Republicans, briefs House Democrats on the fiscal cliff deal at 12:15 p.m. ET.

House Republican members hold their own huddle at 1 p.m.

Other details on how the House will proceed are developing. There is no guarantee of a vote. The Senate passed their fiscal cliff bill a little after 2 a.m. on Tuesday after a rare New Year's Even session.

Click HERE to read the White House face sheet on the fiscal cliff legislation--which includes extending the farm bill for a year--which will prevent a spike in milk prices.

Reporters working the fiscal cliff story on New Year's Eve at the Senate Press Gallery in the Capitol took a short break to toast 2013 at the stroke of midnight. The Senate finished voting on the fiscal cliff deal a few minutes after 2 a.m. ET
(photo by Lynn Sweet)

WASHINGTON--The House takes up the Senate passed fiscal cliff legislation on Tuesday, with the measure arriving in the chamber on an 89-8 bi-partisan roll call. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has said the House will consider the legislation--and offer amendments. While there members on the left and the right have issues with the tax and spending deal forged in the Senate, there are plenty of votes for the bill to pass in the House--if Boehner calls it--and if it remains basically the same as the Senate version.

The agreement also extends the farm bill for a year--avoiding a jump in milk prices.

Click below for the White House fact sheet with details of the bill, which runs more than 150 pages...

Voting no on the Senate fiscal cliff deal were senators Tom Harkin (D-Ia.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mike Lee (R-Ut), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Ron Paul (R-Ky.), Michael Bennet (D-Col.) , Chuck Grassley (R-Ia.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fl.)

WASHINGTON--The Senate voted 89-9 on a fiscal cliff deal early Tuesday morning in an unusual New Year's Eve session, sending the measure to an uncertain fate in the House.

"This historic vote protects working families from an income tax increase and spares our economy from a devastating political disaster," Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said.

"We now turn to the House and ask them to act with dispatch to prove our government can truly respond in a bipartisan way in the best interests of the people we represent."

The Senate voted just before 2 a.m. ET as Congress missed the Dec. 31 fiscal cliff deadline.

"This shouldn't be the model for how to do things around here," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) from the Senate floor after a marathon series of negotiations. "But I think we can say we've done some good for the country. We've taken care of the revenue side of this debate.

"Now it's time to get serious about reducing Washington's out-of-control spending. That's a debate the American people want. It's the debate we'll have next. And it's a debate Republicans are ready for."

President Barack Obama said in a statement, "Leaders from both parties in the Senate came together to reach an agreement that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support today that protects 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small business owners from a middle class tax hike. While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing to do for our country and the House should pass it without delay.

"...There's more work to do to reduce our deficits, and I'm willing to do it. But tonight's agreement ensures that, going forward, we will continue to reduce the deficit through a combination of new spending cuts and new revenues from the wealthiest Americans.

Voting no were senators Tom Harkin (D-Ia.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mike Lee (R-Ut), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Ron Paul (R-Ky.), Michael Bennet (D-Col.) , Chuck Grassley (R-Ia.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fl.)

WASHINGTON -- "Happy New Year!" Vice President Joe Biden said cheerfully as he arrived at the Capitol to huddle with Senate Democrats, with less than three hours to go before the fiscal cliff deadline.

Biden negotiated a tentative deal with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that will raise tax rates on household incomes of $450,000, keep tax breaks for those making less than that and extend unemployment benefits while at the same time kick decisions over spending cuts down the road a bit.

While President Barack Obama got the wealthy to pay more -- it was not at the $250,000 household income level he called for during the campaign. But during these weeks of negotiations Obama said he could go higher.

The two biggest sticking points were over the estate tax and the automatic spending cuts due to sock the Pentagon and other domestic programs starting on Tuesday with the full impact spread over years.

Republicans compromised by agreeing to delay those automatic cuts for two months. Democrats yielded on the estate tax rates.

The vice president rushed to the Capitol for the meeting because some Democrats were worried he gave up too much ground.

"Don't you all enjoy being here New Year's Eve?" Biden said to the throng of reporters spending New Year's Eve covering the unfolding fiscal cliff drama in the Capitol.

Biden tossed out the chipper greeting at 9:18 p.m. Eastern time as he went into a meeting that lasted for about 45 minutes.

Even if the Senate voted before midnight Congress is going over the fiscal cliff.

The GOP controlled House -- waiting for the Senate to act first -- returns to work on Tuesday, adjourning Monday when it was obvious the Senate vote would be coming late.

While lawmakers missed their self-imposed deadline, any deep damage to the economy will be minimal if the House and Senate reach a tax and budget deal before the new Congress is sworn in at noon Thursday.

McConnell implored Biden on Sunday to take over direct negotiations, with McConnell preferring his former Senate colleague to Senate Minority Harry Reid (D-Nev.), thinking, I was told by an informed observer, that he could get a better deal.

"I needed a dance partner, so I reached out to the vice president in an effort to get things done," an upbeat McConnell said from the Senate floor on Monday. "And I'm happy to report that the effort has been a successful one."

The House is another matter. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has officially kept a distance from the Senate dealings. "This is all about McConnell and the Democrats," Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck told me earlier Monday.

The House is poised to deal with the Senate legislation with expedited procedures. But it's not clear at all that House Republicans will go along with the Senate.

"We made one commitment," Buck reminded me. "Once the Senate passes something, then we will take action."

None of this last-minute stuff speaks well of Congress. This historic New Year's Eve session is not a proud night under the dome.

I asked Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) what she thought of this deadline wrangling as she entered the meeting with Biden.

"I'm speechless," she said. "We could have done this a long time ago."

WASHINGTON--Vice President Joe Biden--trying to sell a deal--with less than three hours left to the fiscal cliff deadline--just entered a meeting with Senate Democrats. Walking in with him to the closed-door session was Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the number two leader in the Senate.

"Happy New Year," Biden said three times to the throng of reporters staking out the Democratic caucus. "Don't you all enjoy being here New Year's Eve?"

Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) spent much of the last 24 hours negotiating the deal. Biden is making this visit--in a historic New Year's Eve session--because some Democrats worried that Biden gave away too much.