However, should Boehner allow the full House vote to go forward, despite his inability to get a majority of Republicans to support the legislation, his sparing the nation from a fall from the cliff could come at the cost of his job as Speaker.

FORBES: Here's The Deal On The Fiscal Cliff Deal

It's going to take us through 2009, assuming we don't fall off a cliff from something unforeseen, but then we'll start to recover.

FORBES: Get Briefed On: Tom James

Mr Fuller, who had a degree in molecular biology, was found dead at the foot of a 60ft (18m) cliff with a fractured skull and other injuries consistent with a fall from height.

BBC: Fuller quarry deaths: Children 'unlawfully' killed