The No. 2 Democrat in the House has criticized Republican leaders for canceling a scheduled meeting Thursday with President Obama, saying the move was disrespectful and showed the party isn’t serious about working in a bipartisan manner.
“I can never remember an instance when President Bush asked me or the Democratic leadership to come down to meet with him that we we did not accommodate our schedule to that request,” said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland.
“I think that is not only respectful of the the United States but it also furthers the ability to solve the problems concerning our country.”
Top Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio postponed the meeting until to Nov. 30 because they had a scheduling conflict.
Mr. Hoyer added that he hopes Republicans understand that “we’re not in a two-year cycle Mr. McConnell refers to of having an intent to defeat the other side.”
“What American wants us to do, no matter how they voted, they do want us to reach common ground … as opposed to making partisan points,” he said.
Fellow Maryland Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings also said “it appears that Republicans were not prepared to go forward with that meeting.”
• Sean Lengell can be reached at slengell@washingtontimes.com.
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