U.S. President Barack Obama continues to press Congress to resolve the fiscal cliff in his weekly address.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:<br/> <br />"We're now at the point where, in just a couple days, the law says that every American's tax rates are going up. Every American's paycheck will get a lot smaller. And that would be the wrong thing to do for our economy. It would hurt middle-class families, and it would hurt the businesses that depend on your spending. And Congress can prevent it from happening, if they act now,"<br/> <br />After closed door meetings at the White House Congressional leaders were cautiously optimistic that a deal could be reached.<br/> <br />Without a deal $600 billion in tax hikes and federal spending cuts will begin to take effect January 1st.
