Congress' vacation angers working class

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) -  All is quiet in Washington this week since our leaders have returned home for the holidays; and this break couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time. The fiscal cliff still hangs over the heads of the working people.

Congress went on vacation Friday afternoon, and they'll be returning on Thursday the 27th. That's a five day vacation, and they'll only have five days left to figure out the fiscal cliff debacle.

Many tell 22News they're furious that Congress has wasted time that it could have spent working towards an agreement.

"I think their vacation is too long. They should be going back to work on Wednesday, and get this issue solved", said Linda Powers of Westfield.

But both President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner insist it can be done before the January 1st deadline. Though the President did have a stern message for Congress Friday night: "Think about the obligations we have to the people who sent us here. Think about the hardship American people will endure if Congress does nothing at all".

"I think they need to get back on it and get things rolling. The government, the world--everything--is in trouble. We need to get things taken care of as soon as possible", said Carla Brolin of Enfield, Conn.

If both sides cannot put their differences aside and reach an agreement, this is what's at stake:

• 2 million Americans will lose their jobless benefits.
• Millions more will see a 2% cut in their take home pay.