By News Staff
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is praising the fiscal cliff deal for preventing middle-class tax hikes but says another "dangerous confrontation'' over the debt ceiling could take place in a few weeks.
The Rhode Island Democrat says "this is not a responsible way to govern, but not compromising could hurt Rhode Islanders and plunge our economy back into a recession.'' He wants more high-income earners to face tax increases.
Under legislation the Senate passed Tuesday, taxes would rise on individual incomes over $400,000 and household incomes over $450,000.
Unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless would also be extended. The House of Representatives will vote next.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse also supported the bill but says it's not perfect. He says he shares the frustration of Rhode Islanders fed up with congressional gridlock.
