U.S. President <a gi-track='captionPersonalityLinkClicked' href=/galleries/search?phrase=Barack+Obama&family=editorial&specificpeople=203260 ng-click='$event.stopPropagation()'>Barack Obama</a> speaks in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. Obama is seeking an up-or-down vote on his proposal to extend tax cuts for annual income up to $250,000, absent a counteroffer from congressional leaders, an official familiar with today's budget talks said. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images