House passes non-controversial bills before breaking for cliff talks

The House on Tuesday afternoon approved a handful of suspension bills by voice vote before breaking so Republicans and Democrats could meet separately to discuss how to handle the Senate's legislation to avoid the "fiscal cliff."

Democratic leaders in the House support the Senate bill, which extends most current tax rates but delays planned spending cuts. But dozens of Republicans were expected to oppose the deal, and many Republicans expressed their opposition to it on the House floor shortly after noon.

As of 1:30 p.m., it was still unclear whether the House would allow a straight vote on the Senate bill, whether amendments might be considered and whether any of this would happen Tuesday.

Before breaking, members approved the following bills by voice vote:

H.R. 1464, the North Korean Child Welfare Act, requiring the development of a plan for aiding the adoption of children from North Korea. This bill was amended by the Senate, and House passage sends it to the White House for President Obama's signature.

H.Con.Res. 147, which says bills do not have to be enrolled on parchment for the rest of the 112th Congress, which ends Jan. 3.

S. 3677, making a technical correction to the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973.

The House also approved two Senate-passed bills naming post offices in Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

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