A source familiar with the matter said the White House was weighing whether to invite top Republicans and Democrats to a meeting with Obama at Camp David, the presidential retreat in the mountains of Maryland. But the top Republican and Democrat in the House of Representatives said they were not interested.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said a Camp David trip could delay immediate progress at daily White House talks.
“Let’s not say ‘Well, we don’t have to make any decision today on Thursday or Friday because we’re going to have s’mores at Camp David over the weekend,’” Pelosi said at a news conference, referring to the campfire dessert treat.
House Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Washington, has told the White House he sees no need to go to Camp David, a spokesman said.
Obama and top Republicans face growing pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal that would allow Congress to raise the $14.3 trillion debt limit before the Treasury Department runs out of money to cover the country’s bills on Aug. 2. The talks have become increasingly acrimonious in recent days.
