President Obama is expected to call on lawmakers Friday to pass legislation to immediately freeze tax rates for the middle class and will urge Congress to work together to resolve the year-end “fiscal cliff.” In a statement scheduled for 1 p.m. in the East Room of the White House, the president will ask Congress to work together to find ways to keep the economy growing and tame the nation’s debt. Obama is not planning to release a new plan as he gets back to the business of governing after a long and victorious reelection campaign. He is holding back, at least for several days, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill search for ... (full story)