Congressional leaders returned to Washington this week striking a tone of urgency to avert the looming "fiscal cliff" -- a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts scheduled to take effect in January. But they began what figures to be the most critical lame-duck session in recent history very much at loggerheads. Majority Leader Harry Reid called upon Republicans to pass a Senate bill that would freeze existing tax rates for those who earn less than $250,000 per year -- echoing the call President Obama made throughout his campaign and again on Friday -- thereby agreeing to raise...

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