Obama back from Hawaii, Congress bickers on cliff

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama returned to the White House on Thursday from a vacation shortened by government gridlock while Democrats and Republicans snarled across a partisan divide and showed no sign of compromise to avoid year-end tax increases and spending cuts.

Adding to the woes confronting the middle class was a pending spike of $2-per-gallon or more in milk prices if lawmakers failed to pass farm legislation by year's end.

AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

President Barack Obama waves to reporters as he steps off the Marine One helicopter and walks on the South Lawn at the White House i...