GOP Leaders Aren't Counting Cliff Votes, Yet

With forty days until President Barack Obama is sworn in for a second term, construction continues on the platforms on the west side of the Capitol, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

PHOTO: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

The White House is seen as Washington wakes up to a dense fog that blanketed the area, Monday, Dec. 10, 2012.  

PHOTO: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Just six blocks from the White House, the FBI's hulking headquarters overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue has long been the government building everyone loves to hate. But in this time of tight budgets, massive deficits and the "fiscal cliff," the 38-year-old FBI headquarters building has one big thing in its favor. It sits atop very valuable real estate, an entire city block on American's Main Street midway between the U.S. Capitol and the White House. Just how valuable, the General Services Administration intends to find out.

PHOTO: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, to discuss the pending fiscal cliff.  Boehner said there's been no progress in negotiations on how to avoid the fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts and called on President Barack Obama to come up with a new offer.  

PHOTO: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

President Barack Obama, right, and daughter Malia Obama, sing as Santa Claus arrives during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse south of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Washington. 

PHOTO: AP Photo/Alex Brandon

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio walks to a closed-door Republican strategy session, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Speaking about the fiscal cliff, Boehner said Wednesday that the White House had failed to offer a "balanced approach" that had a chance of clearing either chamber of Congress. "We can't negotiate with ourselves".  

PHOTO: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, right, speaks as President Barack Obama meets with members of the National Governors Association (NGA), regarding the fiscal cliff, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. Counter clockwise, from Walker are, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Budget Director Jeff Zients, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs David Agnew, , Director of National Economic Council Gene Sperling, NGA Vice Chair, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, and the president.  

PHOTO: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., center, gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, to urge Senate approval of an international agreement for protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. From second from left are, Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Kerry and Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill. 

PHOTO: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

President Barack Obama, shakes hands with the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors recipients, from left, rock band Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and keyboardist/bassist John Paul Jones, during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. While Led Zeppelin is being honored as a band, surviving members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant, each received the Kennedy Center Honors. 

PHOTO: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

A Uniformed Division Secret Service officer stands watch as Marine One helicopter, with President Barack Obama on board, lifts off from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. 

PHOTO: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak