Obama to meet with Republican leaders

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

In the first test of Washington’s new political alignment, President Barack Obama will meet with Republican leaders today with the nation’s tax rates and a nuclear-arms treaty in doubt.

Neither side expects final deals from an hourlong encounter, but the sparring could have major consequences, both short- and long-term.

The expiring Bush-era tax cuts are the most pressing matter. Without quick action, taxpayers face sharp increases next year as the rates return to levels set during the Clinton administration.

Discussions are expected to center on a temporary extension that would put off the partisan clash over the biggest disagreement — whether to permanently extend current rates to all or to raise them for higher-income taxpayers.

The private, late-morning White House meeting with top lawmakers from both parties is fraught with potential and hazards, both for the immediate work left before Congress adjourns this year and for the relationship between Obama and congressional Republicans over the next two years.

Republicans caught a wave of voter disenchantment with the economy Nov. 2 and wrested control of the House from the Democrats. They also expanded their minority in the Senate.

The new lineup presents a dramatically different dynamic for Obama. Though he pledged to bridge partisan divides during his presidential campaign, he ended up passing the big initiatives of his first two years with virtually no Republican support.

“My hope is that tomorrow’s meeting will mark a first step toward a new and productive working relationship,” Obama said Monday, “because we now have a shared responsibility to deliver for the American people on the issues that define not only these times but our future.”

That comment came as he announced a two-year pay freeze for civilian government workers, a step hailed by Republicans and sharply criticized by Democratic allies such as the AFL-CIO.

The most immediate challenges for Congress’ postelection lame-duck session are considering whether Congress will extend the tax rates and the Senate will ratify a new treaty to reduce nuclear weapons arsenals in the U.S. and Russia.