By: Diana Johnsen
djohnsen@kcautv.com
They may come from two different parties, but both agreed to say "no" to the fiscal cliff bill.
In an 89-8 Senate vote, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Tom Harkin were among the eight who voted against the bill.
Why?
Senator Grassley said he believes the bill is not tackling the bigger issue of spending.
"We have a spending problem not a tax problem, but no one is paying attention to the spending problem," said Senator Grassley.
In the approved bill, tax cuts will be extended for all workers earning less than $400,000 dollars a year and unemployment benefits will be extended for some 2 million people.
Senator Harkin said he voted no to the bill because he believes it is not fair to middle class Americans.
"In essence, this agreement locks in a tax structure that is grossly unfair to middle class Americans," said Senator Harkin. "Every dollar that wealthy taxpayers do not pay under this deal, we will eventually ask Americans of modest means to forgo in social security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits."
Senator Grassley and Senator Harkin were not the only ones who said no.
Other Iowa and surrounding state lawmakers said nay to the bill as well.
In the approved House 257-167 vote, Iowa Congressman Steve King and Congressman Tom Latham voted no.
Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith and Congressman Lee Terry voted against the bill as well.
