Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Congresswoman Kathy Hochul believes a balanced approach will get America away from the fiscal cliff and the double hit of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes.

"We want a balanced approach so neither side is subjected to the brunt of this because this is a very expensive proposition," says Hochul. "We are facing a deficit to the tune of $16 trillion. We have an obligation to find a solution, and we have to stop fighting, the finger pointing, the polarization that's turned the country against Congress for its inability to do its job."

Hochul says everyone needs to feel some pain in this, and that's the approach she and fellow Democrats will take when they return to Washington.

What would this mean to Western New York if no deal is reached? Hochul says cuts in spending could mean trouble for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. "We need to make sure that base is protected and it's able to take the new mission we've worked hard for," says Hochul. In addition to cuts come the new year, Western New Yorkers will face tax hikes. "This is a double hit that will be impacting our residents, and we're trying to get out of the tough economy. This is not what we need to get the economy growing again," adds Hochul.