Democratic Congressman Jim Costa of Fresno also voted for the measure, saying it was needed to avoid default. While he concedes it's a cuts only deal, he anticipates a congressional super committee will come back in November about the time the bush tax credits expire, again. "They do expire at the end of 2012 and that would provide $800 billion in terms of balancing our deficit, that clearly is part of a larger discussion of tax reform."
Ending those cuts could provide half of the $1.5 trillion of so dollars the super committee must cut from the deficit.
Fresno Financial Analyst Pete Weber believes spending cuts and tax increases must be looked at to get the country back on track. "Absolutely everything should be on the table, we have been living beyond our means."
Two members of the Valley's Congressional Delegation, Democrat Dennis Cardoza of Merced and Republican, Congressman Devin Nunes of Tulare voted against the bill.
Nunes said, "In the end, I just voted against it, recognizing there was just no good answer or good vote on this bill."
Nunes says he doesn't like the idea of a super committee coming back later and reviving the conflict.
Democratic Congressman Dennis Cardoza of Merced said he opposed it for the same reason.
The House passed the measure with a nearly one hundred vote margin.
The Senate is set to vote Tuesday and according to Congressman Costa there are from 70 to 80 votes in favor, enough to assure passage.
