Michigan lawmakers talk fiscal cliff

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Lawmakers have until midnight on Monday to keep the country from going over the "fiscal cliff". If they don't, many fear the county could dip back into a recession.

"We all know it's at the very last moment, but maybe at the end of the day we can actually get something done. I have a hope it can happen," US Rep. Fred Upton (R-6th District) told 24 Hour News 8.

Last minute is right. There are only hours left to save the country from going over the fiscal cliff. The Senate is expected to present a bill to the House on Sunday, but will they accept it?

"I've had a couple conversations earlier with some of the high senior staff which lends me to think we are in a little better position," said Upton.

Upton thinks a deal could be reached as early as Sunday. He said if we don't the country will be in trouble.

"I'm very worried that if we (don't make a deal) the tax rates go up on everyone, we'll go into a recession very quickly," said Upton. "A double dip, and that's not something our economy can take."

Particularly in Michigan, he said.

Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow agrees, "Right now middle class families are really being held hostage to this bigger debate about whether or not the country can afford additional tax cuts for multimillionaires," she said.

If we don't get an agreement, she said the average family in Michigan will see their taxes go up $2,200 which is about four months of groceries.

So will the House and Senate reach a deal?

"At this point we've not seen the house be able to pass anything," said Stabenow. "I'm hopeful particularly as we get close to the deadline and people are now engaged. The American people are speaking out and realizing what this means to them. So I'm hopeful that we can convince the house to act."

Hopeful is the word everyone is using. If a bipartisan deal is not reached, President Obama has asked for a bill to go on the floor, which would stop tax hikes for those making less than $250,000 and extend unemployment  benefits. However, the Senate and House would still have to pass it.