Florida U.S. Senator Votes Against Fiscal Cliff Agreement

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio broke with his party Tuesday and voted against a bipartisan compromise to avoid the “fiscal cliff” of tax hikes and spending cuts.

Rubio was one of only eight U.S. Senators who voted against the deal, which passed with 89 votes and had the support of many staunch fiscal conservatives. Florida Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted for it.

The measure passed around 2 a.m., two hours past the fiscal cliff deadline.

The House could vote on the legislation today.

Democratic and Republican leaders described the compromise as an imperfect but necessary agreement to prevent serious economic harm to families, businesses and the economy.