U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va. (File)

WASHINGTON (January 1, 2013)—U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., the No. 2 Republican in the House leadership, said Tuesday he opposes a Senate-passed measure aimed at averting a plunge off the so-called fiscal cliff.

Cantor told reporters after a two-hour closed-door meeting Tuesday with GOP lawmakers that he did not support the bill, said House leaders were looking for "the best path forward" and that no decisions had been made.

The Senate passed the measure early Tuesday by a sweeping 89-8 vote.

House passage of the measure would send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The bill would increase taxes on family income exceeding $450,000 and delay across-the-board spending cuts for two months.

House GOP leaders were considering amending the measure and sending it back to the Senate, but that step could produce a deadlock.

House Democratic leaders, meanwhile were pressing Speaker John Boehner to let the House vote on the Senate-approved bipartisan compromise.

After a nearly three-hour private meeting Tuesday between Vice President Joe Biden and House Democratic lawmakers, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Democrats expected Boehner to allow the House to vote on the accord.

Boehner has said the House will vote on the Senate measure or vote to amend it.