–House Speaker, Senate Minority Leader Describe Good Meeting W/Obama
–Rep. Boehner: GOP, Hill Dems and White House Can Find ‘Common Ground’
–Sen. McConnell: Hopes Obama Will ‘Reconsider’ Keystone Decision
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority
Leader Mitch McConnell Wednesday said they had a productive lunch
meeting with President Obama and believe it may be possible to find
“common ground” this year on energy and jobs legislation.
At a briefing, both Boehner and McConell said their meeting with
Obama earlier in the day was productive and led them to conclude they
can work together with the White House on legislation this spring.
They said there are a number of energy and jobs bills that
Republicans passed in the House but are blocked in the Democratically
controlled Senate.
Boehner called the talks “very positive” and “very fruitful.”
Both Republican leaders said the talks included discussion of the
blocked Keystone XL pipeline, which Obama has said he needs more time to
review.
“We hope he will reconsider,” McConnell said.
Boehner said the economic outlook in the U.S. is mixed.
“The economy is doing better,” he said, but added that “some storm
clouds are gathering” regarding energy challenges such as rising gas
prices.
Boehner said he hopes that Obama convenes additional meetings with
congressional leaders to discuss legislative matters and identify areas
of “common ground.”
“We only had an hour,” Boehner said of the Wednesday lunch meeting.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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