The House just reconvened after a 2.5 hour recess during which Democrats charted out their path forward on handling the debate over the tax cut deal. According to House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter, the new rule for considering the tax cut deal will call for a vote on returning the estate tax to 2009 levels instead of the lower levels called for in the tax cut deal. If that vote fails, then there will be a vote on the bill itself. There will be up to one hour of debate on the rule and after approval of the rule there will be up to three hours of debate on the estate tax amendment and the tax cut deal itself.