Evan Vucci / AP
President Barack Obama meets with congressional leaders in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. From left are, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 | 10:31 a.m.
WASHINGTON — Facing the future leaders of a Republican-controlled Congress, President Barack Obama pledged Friday to judge ideas in his final two years not by whether they come from Democrats or Republicans but by "whether or not they work."
Obama invited 16 top lawmakers from both parties to a White House luncheon to search for areas where they might manage to work together in the new year. Coming three days after Obama's party was pummeled in the midterm elections, the meeting offered the first clues as to whether Obama and congressional Republicans would be able to put aside years of deep-seated differences.
Obama, seated between House Speaker John Boehner and incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he congratulated both Republicans "for running very strong campaigns." He said the election results showed Americans are frustrated with gridlock and want Washington to start getting things done.
"All of us — me in particular — have a responsibility to make that happen," Obama said.
The president is also asking the current Congress to approve emergency funding for fighting Ebola and to start working on an authorization for use of military force against the Islamic State group. He sounded an upbeat if conciliatory tone as he and the leaders began their meeting in the Old Family Dining Room.
"I'm confident they want to produce results as well on behalf of the American people," Obama said of the GOP leaders.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy