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Minnesota senators support fiscal cliff deal

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Jan 1, 2013 at 2:19 pm

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KNSI) Minnesota's two U.S. senators voted for a compromise bill meant to avert the fiscal cliff of across-the-board tax increases and sweeping spending cuts.

Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken both backed the measure, which passed the Senate after midnight on New Year's Day. The vote was after the midnight fiscal cliff deadline, and the bill now awaits a House vote that may come later Tuesday.

Franken, up for reelection next year, expressed reservations but praised the bill's extension of tax cuts for the middle class and unemployment insurance. He says he was glad it doesn't cut safety net programs.

Klobuchar also says the bill was worth supporting but that she wanted a more comprehensive mix of new revenue and spending cuts.