I suspect RP didn’t vote cuz he realizes or thinks his term expired at midnite on 12-31. Plus he is not in the new congress. Which hasn’t been sworn in.
http://news.yahoo.com/house-roll-call-deal-avoid-fiscal-cliff-045943228.html
THAT IS THE HOUSE ROLL CALL
only 16 DEM ‘NO” votes. But what was the conservative majority GOP alternative bill? It didn’t really exist because it wasn’t written. So the majority of the majority supported something else (allegedly), and they couldn’t bring a bill up for a vote?
it is the conservatives in the House who seem to be stooges ... but they were painted into a corner because their constituents would not allow support for anything except “extend cuts for all”. it’s a non-negotiable position. People who take non-negotiable positions don’t fare well in legislatures. The House Conservatives need a leader. Somebody who has been purged. But somebody who can negotiate.
There was real negotiation going on behind the scenes. The DEMS aren’t stupid. They knew a bill would have to be passed and they made sure that it was their bill. DESPITE ALL THE VILE RHETORIC BY THE DEM-SCUM