Moments after President Barack Obama’s trade agenda was dealt a blow by the House of Representatives, White House press secretary Josh Earnest called the defeat a”procedural snafu,” reviving the term from last month after a similar defeat.
Earnest also told the press corps that he felt “a little bit like Yogi Berra,” saying the situation is “deja vu all over again.” The White House flack made the remarks after House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi came out against Trade Adjustment Assistance, causing a headache for the White House and forcing another vote Tuesday to try to reconcile the bill.
JOSH EARNEST: I also feel a little bit like Yogi Berra. I’m tempted to walk out here and say that it’s deja vu all over again. Many of you who are frequent visitors of this briefing room will recall back on May 12th, I walked out here prepared to answer your questions about how the Democratic leader of a body of Congress had handed the president a substantial legislative defeat on a significant policy priority that the president had identified. And I’m walking out here on June 12th prepared to answer your questions about your perception that the Democratic leader of a body of Congress has handed the president a legislative defeat on a priority.
At the time, you’ll recall that I colorfully described the situation as a legislative procedural snafu, and to the surprise of very few, another procedural snafu has emerged. These kinds of entanglements are endemic to the House of Representatives. And I say that as somebody who does not have a lot of experience in watching the floor of the House, but the president is determined, and I think as was evident from his visit to Capitol Hill this morning to build a bipartisan majority to make sure that we’re living up to our commitment as Democrats to fight for middle class families. That’s the reason the president is in this office.
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