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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Democrat hoping to win back the seat in Congress he lost two years ago is criticizing his successor for voting in favor of a five week adjournment of the House, without action on extension of middle class tax cuts.

Democrat Dan Maffei is challenging Republican Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle in what is now the 24th Congressional District in Central New York.

Maffei says there should be no question about extending cuts for those making less than $250,000 a year.

“I do want to make it clear, though, that we do need to balance the budget. But we need to do it in the right way. Not on the backs of the middle class and seniors. Congresswoman Buerkle and the Tea Party are holding middle class tax cuts hostage to tax cuts for millionaires and multi-billionaires. And that's just not right,” said Maffei.

Buerkle, in the past, has argued that all tax cuts should be extended, including those for people and small businesses making more than $250,000 a year. She says allowing those tax cuts to expire would jeopardize economic growth.