President Bush will host Congressional freshmen at two luncheons this week, beginning today with a bipartisan fete for the House’s 53 new Members. The Senate’s 10 freshmen have been invited to a similar event on Wednesday.

A White House official involved in the planning said Members can expect to hear a few opening remarks from the president at both meetings, but indicated that the events would otherwise follow no formal agenda.

The luncheons will be the president’s first designated face time with freshmen since last November’s Congressional orientation, when the White House hosted an informal reception for newly elected Members.

A White House spokesman declined Friday to confirm the meetings, noting that the president’s schedule had not been finalized for this week.

— Ethan Wallison