While congressional Democrats came close to stopping extension ofthe 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for all Americans, Florida Democrat U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said she was glad the measure passed. I fought for tax cuts so hard-working families will have more money in their paychecks and improved prospects for a better economy. I am pleased businesses will receive vital relief as well, said Castor, who praised many of the bill's provisions, including extending unemployment benefits.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis joined U.S. Rep. Connie Mack as the only Republicans from Florida who voted against extending the tax cuts backed by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003. Bilirakis voted against the measure late last night, arguing that it added to the deficit.

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, applauded the passage of the compromise bill that extended the Bush-era tax cuts for all income levels for two years, lowered the estate tax, extended unemployment benefits for 13 months and cut payroll taxes for workers for one year. He also criticized the $1.1 trillion omnibus appropriations bill that was slated to come up for a vote in the Senate on Thursday but was pulled at the last minute.

After a late night and early morning to vote in favor of extending tax cuts backed by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., weighed in on Friday morning on why he voted for the measure. This plan is 85 percent tax cuts and 15 percent spending. The new spending will be dealt with in short order by making cuts to other areas, said Rooney, who argued that letting the tax cuts expire would be the largest tax increase in American history. By keeping taxes low, people control their own money, rather than surrendering it to the government.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is hoping congressional leaders can rework the $1.1 trillion omnibus appropriations bill that failed Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., pulled it after it failed to get enough support. Clinton said that without the spending bill, national security, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts overseas will be disrupted.

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives took a while to do it, but they approved the intricately negotiated $858 billion tax deal in the small hours Friday by a vote of 277-148. Republicans and Democrats favoring the bill were split almost down the middle. The bill now goes to a visibly relieved President Barack Obama to be signed into law. Before the House vote Obama said, "I hope that members from both parties can come together in a spirit of common purpose to protect American families and our economy as a whole by passing this essential economic package."

The $1.1 trillion spending bill, weighted down with unpopular earmarks, died on the Senate floor Thursday night, meaning the country is running out of time in the fiscal year to pay its bills. The current spending authorization runs out Saturday. The bill didn't die a natural death. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yanked it after he discovered Democrats didn't have the support to get it passed. Reid said he will begin immediately to work with Republicans on a compromise popular enough for at least a short-term funding plan.

State Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson announced on Thursday that, due to the cold weather, he asked for and received an extension of an executive order issued by Gov. Charlie Crist -- moving the suspension of weight restrictions for trucks which were set to expire on Dec. 17 until Dec. 31.

Republican U.S. Rep. John Mica --soon to be the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure when the GOP takes control of Congress in January -- named new Republican members of his committee on Thursday, including incoming U.S. Rep. Dan Webster of Florida.

Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan took to the congressional floor on Thursday morning to offer harsh criticism of the spending bill emerging from the Senate -- and call once again for a balanced budget.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney took aim at Senate Democrats for backing a spending bill that is more than $1.1 trillion. This 1,924-page, $1.2 trillion monstrosity is a slap in the face of the American people, who came out in droves on Nov. 2 and told Congress to cut spending and balance the budget, said Rooney. Our country is in a deep financial hole, but the Democratic majority is inexplicably determined to keep digging until its final breath.

The dean of congressional Republicans, U.S. Rep. Bill Young, announced this week that he was going to be closing one of his district offices. With an eye toward saving taxpayer funds, I have decided to close my St. Petersburg office effective Dec. 17, 2010, noted Young. My St. Petersburg staff will relocate and combine with my Seminole district office. It is my intent to establish an outreach location whereas my staff will continue to meet with and assist those constituents who reside in southern Pinellas County, added Young.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack penned an op-ed in Thursdays edition of Roll Call that offers what could be a peak at his playbook if he decides to enter the Republican field of hopefuls looking to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.

Gov. Charlie Crist set the dates Wednesday for two special elections to be held to fill spots in the Legislature left by resignations.

Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis weighed in on Thursday morning on the $1.1 trillion 2011 spending bill emerging in the Senate. This pork-laden bill is stuffed with more earmarks and big-government spending at a time when we can least afford it, said Bilirakis. President Obama himself said the country cant afford these earmarks and the American people voted in November to end this spending binge, so now its time for the president to step up and veto this bill if it passes Congress.