Politics & Government

White House accuses GOP of "political food fight"

Anita Kumar - McClatchy Washington Bureau

October 31, 2013 03:50 PM

Obama administration officials traveled to Capitol Hill Thursday to talk to Senate Democrats about problems with the new health care law.

"This is part of our constant communications with the Hill over the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the obvious problems that we've seen with the website, and all the other issues that are associated with delivering these important benefits to the American people," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Officials met with House Democrats last week, but on Wednesday when they met with House Republicans less than 20 lawmakers attended. The meeting was scheduled after Republicans complained they were not included in the initial meeting.

"Do they want to know the substance of the issue?" Carney said. "Or do they want to do what most of them did yesterday in that hearing, which is turn it into yet another political food fight, which does the American people no good and doesn't help them get the quality, affordable health insurance that they want."

Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said two open committee hearings on the topic drew "significant members interest and participation."

  Comments