Obama discusses five key priorities with Ryan, McConnell
In a meeting with Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, President Obama talked about the things he would like to accomplish in his final year in office.
"The president spent some time highlighting five of the priorities that he's hopeful that we can work with Congress on this year," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.
During the meeting in the Oval Office, they discussed Puerto Rico's debt crisis, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the nation's opioid abuse and heroin epidemic, the administration's cancer "moonshot" initiative and criminal justice reform, Earnest said.
Mr. Obama talked with the two GOP leaders about ways Congress can address Puerto Rico's debt crisis in the next few months so that its government has more tools to address its financial issues.
They also discussed the ratification of the Asia-Pacific free trade deal called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
"I know Speaker Ryan and Leader McConnell are obviously committed supporters of an agreement that would cut taxes on 18,000 American goods that are imposed by other countries," Earnest said.
Earnest said they talked about additional steps the administration and Congress can take to fight the opioid epidemic. He also said Republicans on Capitol Hill have expressed interest in participating in the initiative, led by Vice President Joe Biden, to fight for a cure for cancer. They also raised the possibility of criminal justice reform, which has led to bipartisan discussions among lawmakers.
After their private meeting, which Biden attended, the president hosted Ryan for lunch in the White House's private dining room.