Congress could pass later legislation retroactively blocking the tax hikes and spending cuts.
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The moon rises Sunday behind the U.S. Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C., as Congress worked into the late evening to resolve the stalemate over the pending "fiscal cliff." This evening, they say, there won't be a vote.
The House will miss the midnight deadline lawmakers set for voting to avoid the "fiscal cliff."
House Republicans notified lawmakers that the chamber will vote this evening on other bills. They say that will be their only votes of the day.
President Barack Obama and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said today they are near a deal to avoid wide-ranging tax increases and spending cuts — the fiscal cliff — that take effect with the new year.
Both men said they were still bargaining over whether — and how — to avoid $109 billion in cuts to defense and domestic programs that take effect Wednesday.
It remained unclear whether the Senate would vote today.
Congress could pass later legislation retroactively blocking the tax hikes and spending cuts.