President Obama Holds Meeting with Congressional Leaders at the White House
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Official White House Photo by Pete Souza(WASHINGTON) — President Obama struck an optimistic tone as he huddled with the new Congressional leadership at the White House Tuesday, citing several areas of potential compromise, including cybersecurity.
“With the Sony attacks that took place, with the Twitter account that was hacked by Islamist, jihadist sympathizers yesterday, it just goes to show how much more work we need to do, both the private and public sector, to strengthen our cybersecurity,” the president told reporters.
Sitting between House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Cabinet Room, the president tried to gloss over their differences, joking with Boehner that there is at least one thing they can agree on: college football.
“To the Speaker, I just want to point out I said there are going to be some things that we agree on. Having a college football playoff is clearly something that we can agree on…I think it turned out pretty well, particularly for Ohio,” he joked of Boehner’s home state.
“I congratulate the Ohio State Buckeyes for their outstanding victory and commend Oregon as well for building a great team,” he said.
In addition to cybersecurity, the president mentioned trade, tax reform and streamlining government as other areas of potential compromise.
“Obviously there are disagreements around the table on a whole range of issues, but there are also areas where we can agree and that’s where we’re going to be focused,” he said.
Late Monday the White House issued several more veto threats, bringing the tally for the year up to five.
But the president also signed the first bill of this Congress Monday, reauthorizing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program.
Tuesday’s meeting, the first since the new Republican-led Congress got to work, was more widely attended than expected. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid was the only Congressional leader not present. He is still out recovering from his exercise injuries.
Per the White House, attendees at the meeting also included Vice President Biden, House Minority Leader Pelosi, Sen. Durbin, Rep. McCarthy, Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Schumer, Sen. John Thune, Rep. Bercerra, Rep. Jenkins, Rep. Crowley, Rep. McMorris-Rodgers, Rep. Clyburn, Rep. Steve Scalise, Rep. Hoyer, Sen. Murray, Sen. Barrasso, Sen. Stabenow, and Sen. Blunt.
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