Although the fiscal cliff debate is now behind us, the first several months of 2013 will see three additional, related confrontations in Washington over spending and taxation. In each case, a failure by policymakers to reach an agreement could rattle financial markets and endanger growth. Investors should consider the potential for heightened volatility as these confrontations approach their respective deadlines.

The clickable guide below outlines what’s at stake and what the likely outcomes will be.

Fiscal “Triple Threat” Cheat Sheet

Sources: Bipartisan Policy Center, “Debt Limit Analysis,” January 2013. Washington Post, “Obama wants $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction. What about the GOP?” 1/14/13. Whitehouse.gov, “News Conference by the President,” 1/14/2013. OppenheimerFunds proprietary research.

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