Obama, Dem leaders meet at White House

• Tweet

WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders discussed their legislative agenda and jobs Wednesday, a White House official said.

The official, whose name was not reported, would not disclose details of the meeting, Politico reported. Neither would House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi of California or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, the Capitol Hill publication said.

Participants called the White House meeting an opportunity to discuss legislative priorities, including Obama's call to extend tax cuts -- passed during the administration of former President George W. Bush -- on annual income of $250,000 or less.

Obama and the Democratic leaders talked about "their legislative agenda for the coming months and his proposals to provide small businesses new incentives to grow and hire, encourage companies to create jobs here at home, and ensure that middle class families don't see a massive tax hike at the end of the year," the administration official said.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said following the hourlong meeting Reid is "very close" to disclosing what a tax-cut extension bill would contain.

Durbin said participants at the meeting -- including Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Patty Murray of Washington, and Reps. Steny Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Jim Clyburn of North Carolina and Steve Israel of New York -- also talked about campaign finance reform, cybersecurity, defense spending and a short-term spending authorization bill.