One day before the White House bipartisan heath care summit and a day after saying they had an “obligation” to accept the president’s invitation, House Republicans have yet to name their attendees to the event.
House and Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans have all announced their invite list for the bipartisan event, to take place Thursday at the Blair House. President Barack Obama invited top leaders of both parties from each chamber and is allowing each leader to bring four additional Members.
A GOP leadership aide said of the delay: “We have a group of House Members ready to announce, but [House Minority Leader John] Boehner has felt strongly that the nation’s governors should be represented, given the massive new burdens that Washington Democrats’ plan places on the already-strapped states. He has been interested in including a governor in our delegation, and we have been in touch with the White House on this topic.”
During a Tuesday morning closed-door meeting of the House Republican Conference, Boehner told Members that leadership had not yet “officially” accepted the White House invitation to the summit. But he also said GOP leaders felt it was important to attend so that Republican views are represented, according to knowledgeable sources.
Later, Boehner told reporters that House Republicans would likely attend.
“It’s an invitation from the president of the United States. If you get an invitation from the president, you have an obligation to go,” Boehner told reporters. “I have no hesitation to go to the White House and stand up for our ideas.”
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
