Locals React To Fiscal Cliff Deal - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

Locals React To Fiscal Cliff Deal

SALISBURY, Md. - Locals are reacting to the fiscal cliff deal.

Most told us they weren't very optimistic or happy that Senate and House leaders waited until the last possible minute to come to a consensus. Others said the government is just stalling, and that it seems like being elected is more important to lawmakers than getting the job done.

"The average citizen doesn't understand this - the politicians do. And there are few that can really grasp it to make an honest evaluation on it. But what the average citizen does see is government taking it's time or playing it's party preferences. It's another disappointment - it just shows how slow the bureaucracy is and self serving it is," Jeff Pittinger said. "I do feel relieved, but it's not over," Marsha Downing said.

Senators Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin and Chris Coons all voted in favor of the bill. But Senator Tom Carper voted against it. He released this statement explaining why: "While I commend the work of Vice President Biden and others in finding a way for us to avoid some of the bad elements of the fiscal cliff, there was a better way to solve this problem and we should've seized the opportunity to do so."

President Obama is now back in Hawaii for vacation with his family. The White House had no immediate update on when he would receive and then, sign the bill.