Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine is still senator-elect, not senator, so he wasn’t voting on the fiscal cliff deal — but here’s what he had to say anyway:

I’m pleased that the House and Senate have acted in a bipartisan and cooperative fashion to pass this important legislation to protect the middle class and avert a short-term fiscal crisis. This bill is far from perfect, and it’s time Congress stops kicking the can down the road on a long-term solution to our fiscal problems. But it’s an encouraging sign that Congress can put partisanship aside for the good of our economy and the American people. Much work remains to be done and I look forward to tackling our ongoing budget issues after I’m sworn in on Thursday.”

Since late 2011, Senator-elect Kaine has consistently promoted a similar compromise to the Senate bill on the Bush tax cuts, calling for the tax cuts to expire on income above $500,000 per year as part of a balanced approach of spending cuts, economic growth and increased revenue to help get the nation’s fiscal house in order.