CQ Politics
Published: 01-21-09
House Republican leaders are seeking a face-to-face meeting with President Obama Thursday to discuss their proposals to stimulate the nation’s economy.
Their request likely to be granted came as the House Appropriations Committee prepared to start marking up its portion of the economic recovery package Wednesday afternoon with two other House committees set to follow suit Thursday. The entire package is due on the floor next week.
Minority Leader John A. Boehner R-Ohio said House GOP leaders will present Obama with what they view as a complete stimulus package. But he declined to disclose any details until after the Obama meeting. However he and other Republican leaders have made it clear that their focus is on tax cuts for business and families and that they view House Democrats’ plans for increased government spending as wasteful and too slow to help the economy in 2009.
“We feel very very strongly that we want to sit down with the president and tell him we are opposed to what the congressional Democrats want to do” said Minority Whip Eric Cantor R-Va.
Boehner said that Republicans have felt shut out of the Democrats’ process of drafting the House bill. “We’ve made it clear to the Democratic leadership and chairmen that we have concerns and want to be heard” he said.
But when asked if Republicans are using Obama’s offer to hear their ideas as an end run around Democratic House leaders he said “You’re reading a lot more into this than there is. The president asked for our ideas and we will offer him our ideas.”
Rep. Mike Pence R-Ind. House Republican Conference chairman said he spoke directly to Obama at Tuesday’s post-inaugural luncheon in Statuary Hall pressing the GOP’s case for a meeting.
Obama told GOP congressional leaders early this month that he welcomed their ideas on the stimulus and other issues. Pence said Obama “reiterated his desire to hear from Republicans on a wide range of issues. I told him I appreciate this” Pence said.
