votes. meanwhile, mitch mcconnell says it's up to the president to act and to lead. i mean, basically, what we have is the president insisting on the package that he's insisted on all along. those making more than $250,000 to have the taxes raised, some january 1st. nonstarter. abundantly clear in the house of representatives. there's some question here and harry reid said he expects to go over the fiscal cliff. can there be a retroactive package passed to help stave off the dramatic series of tax hikes for all americans? >> the office of mcconnell releasing a statement acknowledging that conversation with the president last night. >> reporter: yeah. >> in that statement he wrote in part, quote, the leaders happy to review what the president has in mind but to date the senate democratic majority has not put