Speaking Thursday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said Republicans will shift their focus from reducing government spending to creating jobs.
“We’ve been about cut and grow. The fact is for the last eight months plus, we’ve been about cuts,” Mr. Cantor said. “That’s why it is imperative that all of us join together [and] work with the president to see how we can grow this economy.”
Striking a tone of bipartisanship, the Virginia Republican said he expects Washington lawmakers to work with the White House in crafting a comprehensive jobs package.
“I don’t question the president’s motives or his commitment to the country now,” he said. “And I think that’s the way forward as we really put our minds to work. … I believe that all of us, both sides are trying to do what’s best for the country.”
“The truth of the matter is we have very different opinions on how to grow this economy and produced some sustainable job growth,” Cantor added. “Plain and simple, my point is good people can disagree. And that doesn’t mean anybody is putting politics above country.”
Still, the latest tone of bipartisanship was met with skepticism from the White House, which announced Thursday that the Mr. Obama will deliver a follow-up speech on the economy Friday in Richmond, Virginia, the heart of Mr. Cantor’s congressional district.
Not to be outdone, Mr. Cantor has scheduled a competing jobs speech in his home city just hours later.
Mr. Cantor’s comment comes as House Republicans have pushed for major discretionary spending cuts and entitlement changes under a budget put forth by Wisconsin Republican congressman Paul Ryan. Democrats have criticized the Republican-led House failing to focus on jobs, although Republicans say the spending cuts are intertwined with their plan for economic growth.
