Boehner Urges GOP Opposition to Stimulus
Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) urged his Conference Tuesday morning to vote against the economic stimulus bill if the measure stays in its current form, according to sources.
Boehners comments, delivered to Members at a closed-door meeting, come just hours before Republican Members are set to meet with President Barack Obama at the Capitol to discuss the $825 billion legislation.
The Minority Leader told reporters after the closed-door session that Republicans are going to ask Obama to press for changes in the House version of the legislation that they argue will undermine job creation. The House is expected to vote on the measure on Wednesday.
Help us make this plan better, Boehner said predicting that Republicans are disinclined to support the bill unless changes are made.
Meanwhile, Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) expressed a glimmer of hope, saying he was looking forward to meeting with Obama this afternoon.
I expect it will be a candid and direct discussion both ways, Pence said. Ill tell you what I told Members in front of the conference today, and thats to wait and see. Lets hear the president out.