After lawmakers narrowly reached a fiscal cliff deal - U.S. President Barack Obama arrives back in Hawaii - to resume his family vacation.
The deal - which averted possibly devastating tax hikes and spending cuts - marked a victory for Obama.
But - the president and congressional Republicans now face an even bigger hurdle - as budget battles over spending cuts and raising the debt ceiling - loom over the next two months.
Frustrated commuters and tourists in Washington criticized the political showdowns.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) KARL MUENCH, TOURIST FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS:
"The deal is not done. They have kicked the can down the road."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ADAM DORIUS, WASHINGTON COMMUTER:
"It's kind of lame it took so long."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SHERYL SANDERS, WASHINGTON COMMUTER:
"I'm almost wondering why do we even have a Congress."
Republicans who agreed to raise taxes on the wealthy to avoid the fiscal cliff, have vowed the next deal will have to include major cuts on government programs.
