Minnesota, Wisconsin senators vote for fiscal cliff compromise

Minnesota's and Wisconsin's U.S. senators all voted for a compromise bill meant to avert the fiscal cliff of across-the-board tax increases and sweeping spending cuts.

The Star Tribune reported Tuesday that Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken of Minnesota both backed the measure, which passed the Senate after midnight on New Year's Day. The vote was after the midnight fiscal cliff deadline, and the bill now awaits a House vote that may come later Tuesday.

In the Wisconsin delegation, Democrat Herb Kohl and Republican Ron Johnson also voted in favor of the legislation.

Franken, up for re-election next year, expressed reservations but praised the bill's extension of tax cuts for the middle class and unemployment insurance. He said he was glad it doesn't cut safety net programs.

Klobuchar also said the bill was worth supporting but that she wanted a more comprehensive mix of new revenue and spending cuts.

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