Virginia's congressional delegation generally was supportive Wednesday of the compromise tax deal reached between President Barack Obama and Republicans, although several members expressed reservations.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., called the deal "the ultimate stimulus plan" that should reinvigorate the economy.
His Democratic counterpart, Sen. Mark R. Warner, was "disappointed" because he thinks the deal would add to the budget deficit, but he "wants to be supportive of the bipartisan compromise," said Kevin Hall, Warner's communications director.
Warner said he is working to see if the tax package might be linked to the longer-term goals of the bipartisan deficit commission.
Negotiators agreed to a plan that would extend tax cuts to all Americans, extend unemployment insurance and add to the deficit. Negotiators said the plan would reduce future deficits by stimulating the economy.
Rep. Eric Cantor, (R-7), the House minority whip and soon-to-be House majority leader, said: "No one gets all they want in any compromise, and it certainly isn't perfect, but my top priority is to restore certainty to the private sector so that businesses small and large can start hiring again and we can get people back to work.
"Right now, ensuring that no American faces a tax hike is an important and necessary step in that direction."
Rep. Rick Boucher, (D-9), defeated for re-election last month in an upset, also endorsed the plan, as did Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, (D-11), who barely won re-election.
"The congressman believes the national economic recovery is too fragile to raise anyone's taxes at this time," said George Burke, a spokesman for Connolly.
Raising taxes in a time of high unemployment is not the way to go, agreed Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st.
But Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, (D-3rd), repeated his assertion that none of the Bush-era tax cuts should be extended.
"Any extension of these tax cuts will continue the reckless fiscal course of the previous administration that is the primary culprit of our current fiscal crisis," he said.
Rep. Tom Perriello, (D-5), who also lost his bid for re-election, was critical of the process but said he still was evaluating the plan.
"Representative Perriello thinks this is another example of the process that people are tired of," spokesman Michael Kelly said. "It's a deal that is halfway between the two parties but not necessarily what is best to boost the economy or reduce the federal deficit.
"He's still evaluating the details of the plan, but his first priority is to ensure that middle- and working-class families get the support they need in these tough times."
Rep. James P. Moran Jr., (D-8), could not be reached for comment, but he expressed reservations last week about extending the Bush tax cuts.
Rep. Frank R. Wolf, (R-10), could not be reached. Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte, (R-6), said he was evaluating the plan.
twhitley@timesdispatch.com
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