"It appears that an agreement to prevent" the fiscal cliff tax hike for Americans set to hit at midnight "is within sight, but it's not done," President Barack Obama said today.

The agreement would extend tax credits for families with children, for tuition, and for clean energy companies, the president said, adding that it would also extend unemployment insurance.

The deal being discussed will ask the wealthiest 2% of Americans to pay higher taxes for the first time in two decades, Obama said.