Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) says a deal with the White House on tax rates and funding the government through next fall could come ”Sooner rather than later.” McConnell says the sticking point “is going to be is how long we extend the current tax rates.”

If this is right, it immediately throws some cold water on today’s middle-class-only tax vote.

McConnell also said that he expects a deal on funding the federal government through next fall, though he didn’t say whether he thought it would come in the form of a continuing resolution (which he favors) or an omnibus spending bill.

Significantly, McConnell said disposing of the tax and spending issues quickly could open the door to things like New START:

“We want to make sure we do what we have to do before we start dealing with what we might do,” McConnell said.

More here.