Obama Arrives in Hawaii After 'Fiscal Cliff' Deal

As US President Barack Obama resumed his family vacation in Hawaii, some commuters and tourists criticized lawmakers who narrowly reached a fiscal cliff deal.

Published

5 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

US Politics, United States

People

Barack Obama

Places

United States of America, Hawaii, Washington, D.C.

Transcript

After lawmakers narrowly reached a fiscal cliff deal - U.S. President Barack Obama arrives back in Hawaii - to resume his family vacation. The deal - which averted possibly devastating tax hikes and spending cuts - marked a victory for Obama. But - the president and congressional Republicans now face an even bigger hurdle - as budget battles over spending cuts and raising the debt ceiling - loom over the next two months. Frustrated commuters and tourists in Washington criticized the political showdowns. (SOUNDBITE) (English) KARL MUENCH, TOURIST FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS: "The deal is not done. They have kicked the can down the road." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ADAM DORIUS, WASHINGTON COMMUTER: "It's kind of lame it took so long." (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHERYL SANDERS, WASHINGTON COMMUTER: "I'm almost wondering why do we even have a Congress." Republicans who agreed to raise taxes on the wealthy to avoid the fiscal cliff, have vowed the next deal will have to include major cuts on government programs.