House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) contended Tuesday that Democrats refused to include in the economic bailout package a proposal to increase Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insurance — an idea now endorsed by both presidential candidates.

“The presidential candidates’ support for increasing the FDIC cap is welcome news,” Boehner said. However, that proposal was “put on the table by [Minority Whip] Roy Blunt [R-Mo.] and House Republicans but ruled out by Democrats during the negotiations that led to yesterday’s unsuccessful vote.”

Aides to Democratic leaders reiterated that they are working in a bipartisan way and accused Boehner of injecting politics into the effort.

Boehner’s comments came as Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) sent a letter to President Bush this afternoon calling for continued bipartisan work on the bill.

“We welcome your statement this morning and are committed to working with you and our Republican colleagues to enact a bipartisan bill without further delay. Working together, we are confident we will pass a responsible bill in the very near future,” the letter said.