House majority leader Eric Cantor harshly criticized President Obama for his “partisan” attacks over immigration on Wednesday, faulting Obama for stopping lawmakers and the White House from coming to any consensus on the issue.
“After five years, President Obama still has not learned how to effectively work with Congress to get things done,” Cantor said in a statement after discussing the issue with Obama by phone. “You do not attack the very people you hope to engage in a serious dialogue.”
The reason for Cantor’s displeasure: Obama released a statement earlier Wednesday blaming Republicans for “seemingly preferring the status quo of a broken immigration system over meaningful reform.”
“The President called me hours after he issued a partisan statement which attacked me and my fellow House Republicans and which indicated no sincere desire to work together,” Cantor said.
Cantor reiterated Wednesday that House Republicans do not support the Senate immigration bill that passed last year and other “amnesty efforts.”
“It will not be considered in the House,” Cantor said of the Democratic plan.
“I also reiterated to the President there are other issues where we can find common ground, build trust and get America working again,” he said. “I hope the President can stop his partisan messaging, and begin to seriously work with Congress to address the issues facing working middle class Americans that are struggling to make ends meet in this economy.”