–Geithner To Meet Reid, Boehner in AM, Pelosi, McConnell in PM
–GOP’s Boehner, McConnell Say They Want Plans, Not Photo Ops
–Boehner To Bring House Tax Chief Camp, Budget Chairman Ryan To Meeting
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is traveling to
Capitol Hill Thursday, with separate morning meetings scheduled with
House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and
afternoon discussions with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Geithner’s trip to Capitol Hill Thursday to hold meetings with the
four congressional leaders was announced by Treasury. The meetings
appear to be at least partly motivated by the administration’s desire to
assure the public and the markets that fiscal cliff talks are
continuing.
Both Boehner and McConnell, apparently anticipating a photo
opportunity rather than a substantive meeting, have issued statements
making it clear they expect Geither to bring concrete ideas to Capitol
Hill.
McConnell said in a statement that he is “eager to hear the
administration’s specific plans” to create jobs, boost economic growth
and reform entitlements.
Boehner said he agreed to the Geithner meeting “with the
expectation that the White House team will bring a specific plan for
real spending cuts.”
To signal that he views the session with Geithner as substantive,
not symbolic, Boehner said that his two leaders on fiscal issues will
join the talks, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, House Ways
and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp. House Majority Leader Eric
Cantor will also participate in the talks.
Geithner will be joined at the meetings with the White House’s
legislative liaison, Rob Nabors.
Boehner will hold his weekly briefing at 11:30 a.m and is likely
to discuss his meeting with Geithner.
** MNI Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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