Looming large is the urgent need to tackle the double economic hit of tax increases and spending cuts going into effect after Jan. 1.

Looking for deals on helping farmers, the military budget, and other matters before turning to the dreaded 'fiscal cliff.'

Democrats are threatening to resort to a seldom-used procedure that could let them change the rules without GOP support.

House Speaker John Boehner insisted on Friday that any deal with President Barack Obama to avert the so-called fiscal cliff must include lower tax rates.

Without a budget deal to head off the fiscal showdown, the nation faces a combination of expiring Bush-era tax cuts and steep across-the-board spending cuts.

he only hope for progress on jobs and everything else that matters is if President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress find fresh political incentive to compromise.

Avoiding an impending "fiscal cliff" dominates the postelection agenda.

A conservative Republican majority in the House of Representatives ensures his legislation will continue to face roadblocks galore.

The election gives both parties a chance to rethink the bitter partisanship that has gripped Washington
- Given 2nd term, Obama now facing new urgent task AP