SHOTLIST:POOL - AP CLIENTS ONLYWashington, D.C. - December 31, 20121. SOUNDBITE: Joe Biden/Vice President:"surely, we shouldn't predict how the House is going to vote, but I feel very, very good. I think we'll get a very good vote tonight. Happy New Year, and I will see you all tomorrow. "STORYLINE: Racing the clock, the White House reached a New Year's Eve accord with Senate Republicans late Monday to neutralize across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts in government programs due to take effect at midnight, according to administration and Senate Democratic officials. Under the deal, taxes would remain steady for the middle class and rise at incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples _ levels higher than President Barack Obama had campaigned for in his successful drive for a second term in office. Spending cuts totaling $24 billion over two months aimed at the Pentagon and domestic programs would be deferred. That would allow the White House and lawmakers time to regroup before plunging very quickly into a new round of budget brinkmanship certain to revolve around Republican calls to rein in the cost of Medicare and other government benefit programs. Officials also decided at the last minute to use the measure to prevent a $900 pay raise for lawmakers due to take effect this spring. Democratic senators said they expected a vote on the measure later in the evening. They spoke after a closed-door session with Vice President Joseph Biden, who brokered the deal with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Without legislation, economists in and out of government warned of a possible recession if the economy were allowed to fall over a fiscal cliff of tax increases and spending cuts.(****END****)