Obama says debt-cutting deal can be reached soon - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he believes that members of both parties can reach a framework on a debt-cutting deal before Christmas.

Obama was joined by about a dozen middle-class Americans who have raised concerns about their taxes going up at the end of the year.

He says lawmakers face important deadlines in the coming weeks but the voices of the American people need to be a part of the debate.

Obama says we need to "approach this problem with the middle-class in mind."

The president is urging the public to pressure Congress through social media, pointing to #My2K on Twitter - a reference to the estimated $2,200 tax increase a typical middle-class family of four would see if the Bush tax cuts expire.