Tagged: Fiscal Cliff

The 2012 Farm Bill failed to come to a floor vote in the U.S. House before the end of year, but some key provisions were passed as part of the fiscal bill that the House passed late on New Year’s Day.

HONOLULU (AP) — A week after rushing to Washington to help end a tense, end-of-year standoff with Congress, President Barack Obama is back in Hawaii for vacation.

The president's annual visit to the state where he was born and spent much of his childhood was interrupted as he and members of Congress contended with the unfinished business of the "fiscal cliff" crisis that threatened to throw the economy back into recession.

Congress avoided the automatic tax increases and budget cuts of the dreaded fiscal cliff at the last minute this week with a deal that raises tax rates on individuals with incomes over $400,000 and couples making $450,000.

The vote to avoid the fiscal cliff left a certain House bill still hanging, as House of Representative leaders did not hold a vote on Hurricane Sandy relief funds, a supplemental appropriations bill. And while lawmakers in the Hudson Valley affected by Sandy voted to avoid the fiscal cliff, they expressed frustration and disbelief at not having the chance to vote on the Sandy Aid package. The Senate did pass a $60.4 billion Sandy disaster relief package a few days ago.  Matt Dennis is the spokesman for Democratic Congresswoman Nita Lowey, who represents the 18th Congressional District, which includes parts of Rockland and Westchester Counties, areas hard-hit by Sandy.