U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye says he’ll hold his nose and vote for a tax compromise worked out by President Barack Obama and Republican leaders.

The senior Hawaii Democrat said in a statement Wednesday that the GOP refused to help their fellow Americans until Bush-era tax cuts for the rich were extended.

Inouye says he wants to ensure that working families, the unemployed and the poor have a good Christmas. He says if that means he has to back "a big gift" to the wealthy, "then I will hold my nose and vote for it."

Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka also said he would vote for the deal, but noted he did not like the plan.

"I will support the president’s compromise proposal in order to help working families and people out of work, but I have strong reservations about continuing tax cuts for the wealthy that recklessly add to the deficit and our national debt," Akaka said today.

 Democratic U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono said in a statement that she hopes to vote on a better package. GOP Rep. Charles Djou supports the accord.