US President Barack Obama Monday said that it "appears" that a fiscal deal "is in sight, but it's not yet done", dpa reported.
Speaking to a group of supporters at the White House, Obama said he expected Congress to go down to the "last second" of the midnight deadline and that he would be spending New Year's Eve in Washington.
Although he did not disclose the details of the negotiations, the president noted that the "potential agreement" would protect middle class families from a tax increase, extend tax credits for children and college tuition, prolong unemployment insurance for 2 million people out of work and provide support for clean energy companies.
He urged his audience to "keep the pressure on over the next 12 hours or so, and see if we can get this thing done."