WASHINGTON – Emergency legislation to avoid the economy-threatening fiscal cliff ran into vehement New Year’s Day opposition from House Republicans, casting doubt on the divided government’s ability to prevent widespread tax increases and painful, across-the-board federal spending cuts.

“I do not support the bill. We are looking, though, for the best path forward,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., declared after a closed-door meeting of his party’s rank and file.