The Senate's top Democrat says "it's going to be extremely difficult" to pass legislation to address the so-called fiscal cliff before Christmas, but adds there's still a chance it can be done.

Majority Leader Harry Reid commented Tuesday amid a souring mood in Washington over negotiations to forestall automatic tax increases and spending cuts next year that could hurt the economy.

House Speaker John Boehner has accused the White House of stalling the negotiations.

There's just two weeks until Christmas and little progress in talks between Boehner and President Barack Obama. Even if a deal is reached soon, time is needed to draft a bill and get it through the House and Senate and to Obama.

Reid said, quote, "this is not something we can do easily."