President Obama will meet with Republican congressional leaders next Tuesday (Feb. 2) to discuss legislative issues on which they can work together in 2016.
[Daily News| January, 29 2016 | Inside US Trade]
The meeting comes after administration officials have made clear they want Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as soon as possible this year, while McConnell has said he does not want a TPP vote before the November election.
“On Tuesday, the President will meet with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan to discuss legislative priorities for the coming months,” the White House said in its guidance for the coming week. “Building on the bipartisan budget agreement the President signed into law last year, they will discuss areas of cooperation for the year ahead, and opportunities for Congress to work together to deliver for the American people,” it added.
Obama already met with Democratic congressional leaders on Jan. 26, where they discussed “shared legislative priorities for the year ahead,” according to a readout provided by a White House spokeswoman. The spokeswoman listed several specific priorities discussed during the meeting, but TPP and trade were not among them.
