JEFFERSON CITY (AP) -- A bipartisan group of Missouri leaders working to reduce the federal debt is expressing concern about the "fiscal cliff" deal passed by Congress earlier this month.
In a conference call with reporters Wednesday, former Democratic Gov. Bob Holden said the deal reached by lawmakers did not address the core issues of debt, although he added that it helped the middle class.
Missouri Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Karen Buschmann said Congress was "kicking the can down the road."
The measure approved by Congress extended tax breaks for individuals earning less than $400,000 annually. It also extended benefits for the long-term unemployed. But it pushed back a decision on federal spending cuts that had been due to kick in.
Holden and Buschmann both said uncertainty over national debt was hurting Missouri businesses.
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