Caused over 36 billion in damage in new jersey. Governor christie says he was assured by congressional leaders that the aid package would be put to a vote, but House Speaker boehner pulled the legislation and did not return christies phone calls. Disaster relief was something that you didnt play games with. Reporter do you feel betrayed right now, governor . Yes. If the people of new jersey feel betrayed today by those who did this in the house last night, then they have good company. Im with them. Reporter boehner says he pulled the bill because of scheduling problems, but some members of congress questioned how the 60 billion aid package would be spent. New york congressman peter king, a republican, would have none of it. Congressional republicans never have any trouble finding new york city or new york when it comes to raising money. Well, you know, this is a two way street, and if theyre not going to help us, why should we even think of helping them . Reporter this afternoon, congressional leaders announced they would vote friday on funding for Flood Insurance, but a vote on the bulk of the aid has been pushed to january 15. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo well, go ask any family if the delay bothers them. Yes. The length of time is already too long, and the federal assistance can make a major difference. Reporter Speaker Boehner met with g. O. P. Lawmakers from new york and new jersey late this afternoon. Afterwards, congressman peter king called it a positive meeting, and, anthony, he said he now believes that the regions storm victims will get the aid they need. Mason thats good news. Elaine quijano. Thanks, elaine. You heard Governor Cuomo a few moment ago say, go ask my family if the delay bothers them. Seth doane did just that. Youll hear from a homeowner waiting to rebuild later in the broadcast. Now to the bill congress did pass late last night to pull the country back from the fiscal cliff. Tax rates are going up for high income earners, jobless benefits will continue for the longterm unemployed, and the payroll tax is going up. But spending cuts have been put off. Nancy cordes is on capitol hill. Nancy . Reporter anthony, after months of procrastination and accusations and closeddoor meetings, Congress Finally passed a fiscal cliff bill last night. It left everyone relieved but no one truly happy. The motion is adopted. Reporter even republicans who voted for the plan are angry it has no serious spending cuts while democrats think the white house made too many concessions on taxes. Kent conrad is a senator from north dakota. I hate this agreement. I hate it with every fiber of my being because this is not the grand bargain that i hoped for or worked for or believed is so necessary to the future of the country. Mr. President , this is not by any standard a deficit reduction plan. Reporter mostly its a tax plan. The bill permanently extends the bushera tax cuts for all Household Income under 400,000 a year for individuals and under 450,000 for families. The bill also prevents the alternative minimum tax from hitting millions of middleclass families by permanently adjusting it to inflation. The bill bumps the estate tax rate up from 35 to 40 , exempting the first 5 million, and it allows the 2 payroll tax holiday to expire, adding about a thousand dollars to the average familys tax bill in 2013. But the lastminute agreement only deals with half the fiscal cliff. The other half is 110 billion in acrosstheboard spending cuts to defense and domestic programs this year alone. Negotiators decided to postpone those cuts for two months, setting the stage for another spending fight that republicans like bob dold of illinois are eager to have. I, for one, hope that we can talk about reigning in the out ofcontrol spending, but it wont happen with one party or the other. Its going to have to be about bipartisanship. Reporter that bipartisanship is going to get tested right away when the new congress, which gets sworn in tomorrow, has to take a vote some time in the next two months over whether to raise the debt ceiling. Republicans say they want big entitlement cuts in exchange for their votes. The president , anthony, says hes not negotiating. Mason nancy, is Speaker Boehner in any trouble over all this . Well, the speaker does come up for a vote tomorrow about whether he gets to keep his speakership. There were certainly some conservatives who were frustrated about the fact that they had to take this vote on the bush tax cuts, but most of them dont seem to be blaming him. They knew the tax cuts were expiring, they knew that the political reality was that they werent going to be able to keep all of them, so most of them dont seem to be holding the speaker accountable. Mason all right, nancy cordes at the capitol. Thanks, nancy. With the budget deal done president obama resume it had vacation hed been forced to cut short. He returned early today to hawaii to rejoin his family. The white house has not said when the president will sign the budget bill, only that it will be done in a timely fashion. And the president will find that some pork has found its way into the bill. Wyatt andrews now with that. Reporter the fiscal cliff law passed so quickly, many in Congress Never realized it was full of special interest tax breaks, one of which allows auto racetrack owners to speed up their tax deductions. Another tax writeoff goes to hollywood, a 20 million break any time a t. V. Show or movie is shot in an economically depressed area of the united states. Theres a subsidy for rum made in puerto rico, a tax break if you train a mine rescue worker, and a tax credit for every kilowatt of electricity produced by the wind. All told, a fiscal cliff law designed to reduce the deficit added 74 billion in spending through changes in the tax law. Do you consider this pork . Oh, absolutely. This was filled with pork. Reporter republican congressman darrell issa, who voted no on the bill, says many house members felt blindsided by tax breaks that were never publicly debated. And its pork particularly because they couldnt get these through any other way except by throwing them into a bill like this. Reporter but supporters of the tax provision say they will create jobs. Dan houser of the International Speedway corporation, the owner of nascar, says faster tax writeoffs will lead to more investment in tracks and in stadiums. Its not a tax break. What its doing is, its creating shovelready Capital Investment in communities that desperately need jobs. Reporter for many in congress, though, who had sworn off pork barrel spending, these middleofthenight tax breaks represent a new level of pork. Earmarks used to come from an individual member of congress, but, anthony, tax code changes are more likely to come from lobbyists. Mason wyatt, wasnt tax reform supposed to be part of resolving the fiscal cliff . Reporter it is supposed to be long term, anthony, and now this is going to complicate that. Remember, the idea behind tax reform is, you lower rates for everyone but you pay for that by closing loopholes. Last night, Congress Just added 70 billion worth of new loopholes. Mason extraordinary. Thanks, wyatt. Wall street was not very concerned about what was in the deal, it was just happy there was a deal. On this first day of trading of the new year, the dow soared more than 300 points. But moodys warned today that if washington fails to take more action to cut the deficit, americas stellar Credit Rating will be at risk. Secretary of state Hillary Clinton was released today from a New York Hospital where she was being treated for a blood clot in her head. The secretary left in a motorcade with former president bill clinton and their daughter chelsea. Margaret brennan is at new york presbyterian hospital. Margaret . Reporter anthony, secretary clinton was just discharged from the hospital. Her car pulled away just moments ago and her spokesperson released this statement, saying earlier today, secretary clinton made her first public appearance in three weeks as she walked out of the Harkness Eye Institute and into a secure van along with a smiling bill and Chelsea Clinton and accompanied by security detail. Now, there are private doors here at the hospital. She could have used them to avoid those cameras but she chose to walk out smiling into the cold new york air. And the state department does say that secretary clinton has been very active by phone and in communication with her staff. Mason all right, margaret brennan. Good to see her again. Thanks, margaret. Children who survived last months massacre in newtown, connecticut, got their first look at their new school today. Students, parents and teachers attended an open house at a former middle school being renamed sandy hook elementary. The superintendent says theyll try to keep the routine as normal as possible when classes resume tomorrow. The number of background checks for gun sales was already on the rise before the newtown tragedy brought calls for tougher gun laws. Now the f. B. I. Says it conducted a record 2. 8 million checks last month. Thats up 39 from november, when the total hit two million for the first time. In syria, at least a hundred people were killed today in attacks across the country, and the United Nations now estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed in syrias nearly twoyearold civil war. Thats far higher than earlier estimates by opposition forces. Elizabeth palmer was one of the few reporters to get inside syria last month. Shes in london tonight. Good evening, liz. Reporter good evening. Reporter liz, what do you think accounts for this significantly higher estimate of killings . And has the pace of killing increased . Reporter it certainly has, and one of the main reasons is that the rebels have opened up new fronts in civilian areas in many of the cities in syria so theyve become part of the battleground. For example, today, a shell landed in a rebelheld area in the damascus suburbs but on civilians lining up to buy gasoline. Horrendous casualties. Its a scene thats repeated across the country. And, of course, these incidents are especially lethal. Mason meanwhile, syrias president , bashar alassad, refuses to leave. So what now . Reporter well, the opposition have said they wont open negotiations until he goes so weve got a deadlock, and this thing is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. Mason liz palmer in london tonight. Thanks, liz. Can being a little overweight actually be good for you . A warning about deadly waves in california. And plans to salvage a drilling rig that ran aground hit a snag. When the cbs evening news continues. Tinues. I havenfor years. About aspirin aspirin wouldnt really help my headache, i dont think. Aspirin is just old school. People have doubts about taking aspirin for pain. But they havent experienced extra strength bayer advanced aspirin. In fact, in a recent survey, 95 of people who tried it agreed that it relieved their headache fast. Whats different . It has microparticles. Enters the bloodstream fast and rushes relief to the site of pain. Visit fastreliefchallenge. Com today for a special trial offer. [ coughs ] [ baby crying ] [ male announcer ] robitussin® liquid formula soothes your throat on contact and the active ingredient relieves your cough. Robitussin®. Dont suffer the coughequences™. And it feels like your lifeate revolves around your symptoms, ask your gastroenterologist about humira adalimumab. 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Yeah we both relieve coughs, sneezing, aches, fevers. And i relieve nasal congestion. Overachiever. [ female announcer ] tylenol® cold multisymptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion. Nyquil® cold and flu doesnt. Mason a report today in the journal of the American Medical Association had us scratching our heads. It says obesity increases the risk of an early death by 18 . That part we get. But heres what stopped us the report also says being slightly overweight lowers the risk by 6 . So we called in dr. Jon lapook. Jon, can you help us understand this . Reporter anthony, this is the kind of study that gets widely misinterpreted. Yes, for some people, having extra weight may be protective for reasons we dont understand, perhaps, for example, by giving you a little extra Energy Stores for times of illness. But the main message continues to be obesity increases your risk for early death. This is what i tell my patients. Weight is just one factor in your health. If somebody comes in and theyre a little overweight and theyre exercising and their numbers are good, their blood pressure, their cholesterol, their blood sugar, ill tell them, dont gain a lot more, i dont want you to become obese. On the other hand, if the numbers are not good, im going to encourage them to lose some weight. Mason but maybe like what our grandmothers used to say to us, a little extra padding may not be so bad, right . Reporter that padding around the middle is particularly dangerous, anthony, because we found out that belly fat increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer and even dementia. Mason so it matters where the fat is. Definitely. Theres no free lunch, bottom line. Mason laughs okay. Dr. Jon lapook. Thanks, jon. Pennsylvanias governor said today hes suing the n. C. A. A. , claiming it overstepped its authority when it penalized penn state after the child sex abuse scandal. Assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was convicted of molesting ten boys. Governor tom corbett says the penalties, including a 60 million fine, harm students who had nothing to do with the crimes. The n. C. A. A. Says the lawsuit has no merit. Avis is getting into the car sharing business, buying zipcar for almost half a billion dollars. It gives the nations Third LargestCar Rental Agency access to a fastgrowing segment of the industry which allows members to rent cars by the hour. She was one of the bestselling recording artists of alltime. Remembering patti page and her music next. I remember the night and the tennessee waltz. . O ive always kept my eye on her. O but with so much health care noise, i didnt always watch out for myself. With unitedhealthcare, i get personalized information and rewards for addressing my health risks. But shes still going to give me a heart attack. Thats health in numbers. Unitedhealthcare. Blast of cold feels nice. Why dont you use bengay zero degrees . Its the one you store in the freezer. Same medicated pain reliever used by physical therapists. Thats chilly [ male announcer ] bengay zero degrees. Freeze and move on. Get coricidin hbp. The number one pharmacist recommended cold brand designed for people with high blood pressure. And the only one i use to relieve my cold symptoms without raising my blood pressure. Coricidin hbp. [. ] ive been training all year for the big race in chicago, but i can only afford one trip. And i just found out my best friend is getting married in l. A. Theres no way im missing that. Then i heard about hotwire and i realized i could actually afford both trips. See, when really nice hotels have unsold rooms, they use hotwire to fill them. So i got my fourstar hotels for halfprice men hotwire hotwire. Com announcer save big on car rentals too, from 12. 95 a day. , mason a Shell Oil Drilling Rig remains stuck off the coast of alaska today after running aground near an uninhabited island. The rig was being towed south for winter on sunday when it ran into trouble. Its carrying 143,000 gallons of diesel fuel. The coast guard doesnt believe any has leaked, but crews havent been able to get on board because of rough seas. Authorities in california put out a warning today about dangerous waves. A man drowned yesterday in point reyes. The police say he and his wife had gone into the water to rescue their dog. The wife and the dog got out safely, but the man was swept away. Just a month ago, three people drowned while trying to save their dog at another beach in northern california. Her smooth voice and sentimental songs made patti page the best selling female artist of the 1950s. The singer, who sold more than a hundred million records, died today. She was 85. I was dancing with my darling to the tennessee waltz. Mason her 1950 hit tennessee waltz spent 13 weeks at the top of the charts. With 15 millionselling singles, she was dubbed the singing rage, miss patti page. How much is that doggie in the window reporter born clara ann fouler in claire mortar, oklahoma, she was one of 11 children of a railroad worker. As she told Oklahoma Public television in 2010 i do remember singing for five different president s, so that was quite a thrill for me. Can you imagine how much i love you . Mason pages greatest success came before the Grammy Awards were created. Youre sure to fall in love with old cape cod. Mason . But she finally won her first in 1999. Winding roads that seem to beckon you. Mason and next month, page was due to receive the grammys Lifetime Achievement award. Sandy took his life savings. What does he think about the politicians holding up recovery money . Thats next. I gave birth to my daughter on may 18th, five days later, i had a massive heart attack. Bayer aspirin was the first thing the emts gave me. Now, im on a bayer aspirin regimen. [ male announcer ] be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. 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[ bop ] [ male announcer ] couldve had a v8. 100 vegetable juice, with three of your daily vegetable servings in every little bottle. Aww man. [ male announcer ] returns are easy with free pickup from the u. S. Postal service. Well even drop off boxes if you need them. Visit usps. Com pay, print, and have it picked up for free. Any time of year. Nice sweater. Thank you. City leaders to prevent fute disasters. Next on cbs 5 weather talent appears at wx center with generic pinpoint filling monitor then we take special we began the broadcast with politicians fighting over money to fund the recovery from sandy. We end with a man who lived through the superstorm and is still waiting for help. Seth doane has his story. I was living the American Dream until this storm. And it just takes everything away. Reporter dominic camerada has been working with his sons to rebuild the first floor of his staten island, new york, home since sandy wiped it out nine weeks ago. Now he has a new problem. Im out of money. Im at a standstill now. I can move forward. I can put sheetrock up. But after the sheetrock, theres no more money. Reporter the only financial help he has gotten is 18,000 from fema. Theyre telling me that i can rebuild my house for 18,000. You cant rebuild your house for 18,000. Reporter camerada is hoping he will get some of the 32 billion of sandy aid thats destined for new york if Congress Passes the relief bill. When you see lawmakers in washington delaying that vote, does that impact . What goes through your mind . It makes you sick. Its like a slap in the face when you really think about, you know, the way were being treated by the government, that theyre withholding, you know, money that should have been given to us, you know, to help us rebuild. Reporter this is the president hugging your wife. President obama along with new york senators and governor visited cameradas neighborhood and spoke with him in mid november. Cameradas happy theyre pressuring their fellow lawmakers for the relief money. They actually seen the destruction firsthand. Now lets see if the money is going to get forwarded to the people who really need it. Reporter with no savings left and no more help from washington, he worries he might lose the home he built 25 years ago. Seth doane, cbs news, staten island. And thats the cbs evening news. Scott will be back tomorrow. Im anthony mason. Thanks for watching. Good night. Captions by caption colorado comments captioncolorado. Com your realtime captioner linda marie macdonald. Good evening, im elizabeth cook. Im Brian Hackney in for allen martin. It winds its way through neighborhoods and on the peninsula through backyards to san fransesquito creek. Looks tame today but after a near disaster last month neighbors know better. City officials are considering emergency measures to prevent more flooding and after a huge flood in 1998, some would say about time, too. Cbs 5 reporter len ramirez on the new push to head off future storm damage. Hi, len. Reporter hi, brian. No question about it, that storm in december did significant damage to the fransesquito creek and the problem why the city had to act now is the levis are weak and there is no guarantee that another big storm wont blow in here and cause a real disaster. The waters off san fransesquito creek have receded but the danger of flooding lingers on. We have encountered this. Reporter thats the word from East Palo Alto as the city officially declares a state of emergency arising out of last months major flooding event, a proclamation to secure state funding for immediate levee and bridge repairs hopefully before the next big storm hits. Were concerned about entire rainy season which we have two or three months left. Reporter heavy rains on december 23 caused the creek to see its third highest water flow since 1930. Waters overtopped the levees in several places causing flooding in nearby homes and businesses. We lost a lot of paperwork and mud through the shop we had to clean out. Reporter water went under the levees too causing dangerous boils in which water bubbled up on the other side. Levee banks caved in in several places and bridge footings were undercut. It scares you. Reporter tim and his family lived next to the levees for 40 years and says flooding is a constant winter worry. Whats going to happen . Do we have to get Flood Insurance . Thats expensive. They need to do something about this right away. Reporter city Officials Say that will happen if the state comes through. The state is coming down and looking at these issues that we had the