Fiscal cliff bill only postpones next crisis

WASHINGTON, DC (CBS/WFRV) While the issue of higher taxes for the middle class has been resolved, many local lawmakers say the fiscal cliff bill only postpones the next crisis - how to deal with the country's growing federal debt.    

After months of debating and last minute bickering, Congress passed a bill pulling the country away from the fiscal cliff.

"On this vote the yeas are 257, the nays are 167."

Representative Tom Petri from Fond du Lac and two other Republican Congressman from Wisconsin voted against it.

"It did not address the spending side of things - so not a balanced approach as best  I can tell," said Rep. Petri.

 "I hate this agreement." said Sen. Kent Conrad from North Dakota. "I hate it with every fiber of my being."

The criticism of both Republicans and Democrats,  is while the bill prevents a middle class tax hike, it only postponed spending cuts and ignored Social Security and Medicare reform.

"The best thing for our country is to have tax policy that is permanent and that's why I supported it," said Rep. Reid Ribble.

Congressman Ribble voted for the bill after determining it did more good than harm -  preventing a middle class tax hike, asking the rich to pay a greater share and extending  long-term jobless benefits for a year.

But Ribble  - along with many more - say the country needs to stop spending  and address the ballooning federal debt.

"I think the next big debate is going to be spending cuts and limitations," said Ribble. "We still have our primary social programs that the actuaries are telling us are at great risk if we don't address them."

"We will continue to fight about it as Congress goes forward because the problem is not going to go away," said Petri.

In two months, the Treasury will need to increase how much the country can borrow and lawmakers must approve it.  The last time Congress fought over the debt ceiling - America's credit rating was downgraded.