BBC News with Neil Nunes Leaders of the bitterly divided American Congress are making last-minute attempts to stop significant new spending cuts and tax rises automatically taking effect on January first. Both houses are ready for rare Sunday sessions. They are trying to prevent the United States economy from falling off what been dubbed the fiscal cliff, the automatic imposition of some $600bn worth of taxing increase and spending cuts dating back to the Bush era. From Washington Jonny Dymond. One nation with a very divided government. President Obama and congress are grappling for a deal with just 36 hours before time runs out. If there is no deal, the press of failure could be high. The average American family will see that tax rise by more than $2,000 a year. As money sucked out the economy, a second American recession is thought likely to begin. And confidence in the American government around the world would plummet. Financial markets would probably take fright. Meanwhile President Obama says he will put his full weight to behind getting new gun control measures approved the United States within 12 months. Mr Obama expressed doubt about the idea put forward by the pro-gun lobby to position armed guards in every school. I'm skeptical that the only answer is putting more guns in schools. And I think the vast majority of the American people are skeptical that that somehow is going to solve our problem. And here is the bottom line, we're not going to get this done unless the American people decide it's important.