Fiscal policy logjam at the end of 2012

Here's an informal list of items that will require the post election lame duck Congress to act to prevent expiration at year-end; with major economic consequences:

-Bush/Obama tax cuts expire - without reapproval this will be a significant increase in taxation
-Defense budget cuts automatically occur starting in 2013 unless Congress takes action to repeal
-Expiration of moratorium on taxability of discharged mortgage debt
-End of unlimited support for the GSE losses on mortgage defaults
-FDIC unlimited deposit insurance for transaction accounts ends 12-31-12 UPDATE

"through December 31, 2012, all noninterest-bearing transaction accounts are fully insured, regardless of the balance of the account, at all FDIC-insured institutions. The unlimited insurance coverage is available to all depositors, including consumers, businesses, and government entities. This unlimited insurance coverage is separate from, and in addition to, the insurance coverage provided to a depositor’s other deposit accounts held at an FDIC-insured institution."

Maybe the FDIC is waiting for this to expire before getting more agressive on the receiverships.