(RALEIGH) -- The new deal agreed to by Congress to avert the fiscal cliff and prevent tax hikes on middle class families also includes some other pacts.

North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan says the deal is critical to North Carolina's research and development sectors.

"Whats important to North Carolina too is it renews the tax cuts for research and development that are so important for our vibrant research culture and it also freezes congressional members' pay."

The new law also delays the across-the-board cuts, or sequestration, for both domestic and defense.