House Approves Fiscal Cliff Bill; President To Sign Tonight - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

House Approves Fiscal Cliff Bill; President Obama To Sign Tonight

Posted: Updated:
Rachel Hoops, Newscast Producer - email

WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation to block the "fiscal cliff" is headed to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature.

The bill will avoid, for now, the major tax increases and government spending cuts that had been scheduled to take effect with the new year.

Final approval came in the House on New Year's Night. The vote was 257 to 167.
The Senate passed the bill less than 24 hours earlier.

The measure raises tax rates on incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples, a victory for Obama.

It also extends expiring unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless, prevents a cut in fees for doctors who treat Medicare patients and cancels a $900 pay increase due to lawmakers in March.

Another provision is designed to prevent a spike in milk prices.



 

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:27:35 GMT
    SPRAGUE LAKE, Wash. - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has confirmed with KHQ that one person died following a boating accident on Sprague Lake.
    SPRAGUE LAKE, Wash. - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has confirmed with KHQ that one person died following a boating accident on Sprague Lake. The Sheriff's office says that about 3:00pm Tuesday afternoon they responded to a report of two people who had washed ashore at Sprague Lake. Once they arrived they found a man and a woman on the shore.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:46:46 GMT
    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The father of an 8-year-old Oklahoma boy says a teacher saved his son's life as a tornado tore into their school yesterday.
    OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The father of an 8-year-old Oklahoma boy says a teacher saved his son's life as a tornado tore into their school yesterday.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:11 AM EDT2013-05-22 08:11:37 GMT
    SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Police responded to an armed robbery on Spokane's south hill. 

     
    SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Police responded to an armed robbery on Spokane's south hill. It happened just before midnight when police say a man walked into the 7-11 at 30th & Regal, displayed what appeared to be a revolver and demanded money. The suspect fled the scene on a bicycle.