After what appeared to be positive progress this past week on fiscal cliff discussions, policy makers returned home for Christmas without a deal in hand and with the end of the year looming. Congress and the White House have until December 31, 2012 to finalize and take action on an agreement that would avoid the “fiscal cliff” or automatic tax increases and federal budget cuts—negotiated as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The Senate returned on December 27, 2012.