Fred Upton

Across the board budget cuts known as "sequestration" are taking effect on Friday. West Michigan Congressman says no one wanted the sequestration to take effect. But he says lawmakers have to work on long-term deficit reduction. 

West Michigan Republican Fred Upton welcomes President Obama's call for bi-partisanship in his State of the Union Address Tuesday night. Upton issued a statement saying adding jobs and improving the economy should be a priority (Mlive Kalamazoo story).

West Michigan Congressman Fred Upton he would have preferred “a grand bargain” rather than the deal reached last week that averted the “fiscal cliff.” But Upton voted for the agreement, in part, because it brings certainty in the tax code. He says it’s the first of a three step process.