By Philip Marcelo
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Rep. James Langevin expressed disappointment Monday that his chamber will not be voting on a "grand bargain" to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and federal spending cuts set to take effect Jan. 1.
The Rhode Island Democrat remained hopeful, though, that Congress would still act to keep tax rates down for the middle class.
"I'm ready to compromise to get this done, but I also want to make it clear that, while we have to address our debt, I refuse to accept that we should make the middle class, our seniors and our students, bear all of the burden, while tax benefits for the wealthy are protected," he said in a statement.