Democratic and Republican leadership aides said there is at least some initial optimism that a deal can be reached, given that both President Barack Obama and Speaker John A. Boehner offered olive branches last week in their initial post-election statements on the issue.
Sam Goldfarb contributed to this report.
An earlier version of this article misstated whom President Barack Obama said he wouldn't raise taxes on. Obama has said he won't raise taxes on those making less than $250,000.
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