Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told reporters that he expects the Senate to reconvene Dec. 26 — the day after Christmas — to wrap its work for the year. The most pressing issues of the 112th Congress are the fiscal cliff and a supplemental disaster relief bill.

“It appears that we’re going to be coming back the day after Christmas to complete work on the fiscal cliff and a few other leftover items,” Sen. Reiod said in his opening remarks on the Senate floor.

The likely session is the strongest indicator so far that top congressional negotiators have hope of reaching an agreement. Budget talks had appeared to be at a complete impasse as recently as a week ago.

Sen. Reid also stressed the importance of community in the wake of the massive shootings Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the subsequent need to pass legislation that would assist cities and states devastated by last month’s Superstorm Sandy and the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

“I hope my colleagues will join in moving quickly to send aid to those affected by Sandy as they continue to recover and rebuild,” Reid said. “The Senate must move swiftly to approve supplemental disaster aid and give the intelligence community the tools it needs to keep our nation safe before this Christmas holiday.”