Sen. John McCain 'disappointed,' but signs Fiscal Cliff agreement
Posted:
Updated:
By FOX 10 News - Staff Report
PHOENIX -
The Senate passed a measure to avert the so-called fiscal cliff early
Tuesday by a sweeping 89-8 vote. That includes the reluctant yes vote of
Arizona Senator John McCain.
House passage of the measure would send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The bill would increase taxes on family income exceeding $450,000 and delay across-the-board spending cuts for two months.
Arizona Senator John McCain voted yes on the measure, but stated he was disappointed with some of the details. He also said he was embarrassed it took U.S. leaders until the last hour to come to an agreement on the issue.
He also dealt a blow to Congress, calling 2012 "the least productive Congress since 1947."
Full statement by John McCain
"Despite my disappointment with many aspects of this
agreement, I cannot in good conscience stand by and watch taxes go up on all
Americans. I hope that in the coming months we continue to work toward a long
term solution to our fiscal problems but in an effort to address the current
crisis, I support the legislation worked out by Senate leadership and commend
them for their efforts.
"However, it should be embarrassing to all of us that it
took until the last hours of the last day of the year to address an issue we
should have dealt with months ago. This marks another sad chapter in what has
been the least productive Congress since 1947. Moreover, the fact that we're
again kicking the can down the road with a short-term measure rather than
moving forward with the fundamental tax and entitlement reform we all know our
nation needs is yet another signal of the lack of leadership at all levels in
Washington today.
"Critical issues remain to be resolved, particularly the
$500 billion in defense budget cuts looming over our nation's military. I hope
that President Obama will make good on his pledge that defense sequestration
‘will not happen,' particularly since our Secretary of Defense and the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have made clear that these cuts will be
‘devastating' to our armed forces and America's national security."
Friday, May 24 2013 8:46 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:46:52 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:29:05 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Sunbathers this summer will find new sunscreen labels that are designed to make the products more effective and easier to use.
Sunbathers headed to the beach this summer will find new sunscreen labels on store shelves that are designed to make the products more effective and easier to use. But despite those long-awaited changes, many sunscreens...
Every year, identity thieves misuse the personal information of more than 11 million Americans. This makes identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.
Every year, identity thieves misuse the personal information of more than 11 million Americans. This makes identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.
An emergency fund will help see you through an unexpected and potentially costly life event, such as a health crisis, a job layoff or a major home repair.
An emergency fund will help see you through an unexpected and potentially costly life event, such as a health crisis, a job layoff or a major home repair.
If you don't have a plan for the money when that refund check comes, consider these five options for letting the savings you accumulated last year bring you greater financial security and peace of mind in the years to come.
If you don't have a plan for the money when that refund check comes, consider these five options for letting the savings you accumulated last year bring you greater financial security and peace of mind in the years to come.
