The White House is not expected to present Congress with formal legislation until the week after next, when the president outlines additional proposals to offset the cost of his tax cuts and new spending. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
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Additionally, Democratic officials said the White House wanted to allow time for Obama to make the case publicly for his program before formal debate begins in Congress. The president is expected to fly to Ohio and North Carolina next week for appearances along the same lines as the one he made in Richmond – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s district – on Friday.
Nor is it clear what role a newly appointed debt reduction committee might play in considering Obama’s proposals. That panel began work on Thursday and is charged with producing legislation by Nov. 23 that includes a net reduction of at least $1.2 trillion on deficits over the next 10 years.
Unlike routine legislation, any measure produced by the committee is guaranteed a yes-or-no vote in both houses of Congress and cannot be amended.
In their letter to the president, Boehner, Cantor, Reps. Kevin McCarthy of California and Jeb Hensarling of Texas said the House would “immediately begin the process of reviewing and considering your proposals” and would identify “modifications and additional ideas that could achieve economic growth.”
They made clear they would seek passage of legislation to roll back government regulations they have identified as job killers.
They also renewed their call for the president to submit free trade agreements to Congress covering Colombia, South Korea and Panama. The White House is demanding simultaneous approval of legislation to renew benefits for workers who lose their jobs as a result of imports.
Obama’s tone was playful at times as he spoke in Richmond, with an undercurrent of frustration at congressional Republicans who have tried to impose their agenda on his own for most of the year.
“I’m an optimistic person. I believe in America. I believe in our democracy. I believe that if you just stay at it long enough, eventually, after they’ve exhausted all the options, folks do the right thing,” he said.
“So I’m asking all of you to lift up your voices, not just here in Richmond – anybody watching, listening, following online – I want you to call, I want you to email, I want you to tweet, I want you to fax, I want you to visit, I want you to Facebook, send a carrier pigeon. I want you to tell your congressperson, the time for gridlock and games is over.

MH