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White House mends relations with House Democrats

16 July 2010 00:48 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that President Barack Obama will do more to help House Democrats retain their majority in the mid-term elections later this year, soothing tensions mounting between the lower chamber of Congress and the White House, which is viewed as not providing enough support, APA reports quoting Xinhua News Agemcy.

Speaking to reporters, Pelosi said she is satisfied with the White Houseâ€™s efforts in supporting Democratic campaigns to remain in control of the Congress, and expects Obama to do more.

She said thereâ€™s no reason to think the White House "has been anything but cooperative" with House Democrats in their efforts to hold on to the current majority.

The tension has been brought out in broad daylight after White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs went on TV Sunday to say "there are enough seats in play that could cause Republicans to gain control. " House Democrats were incensed, accusing Obama of campaigning more for Democratic senators, leaving the House in the cold, while the House has been faithfully delivering politically tough legislations the White House wants.

Pelosi was reported to lash out against Gibbs on Tuesday in a private meeting with House colleagues. The White House press secretary later said Democrats will keep their majority in the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections in November, when all of the 435 House seats and 36 Senate seats are up for grabs.

Seeking to soothe tensions, Obama met with Pelosi and other House leaders on Wednesday evening. Gibbs on Thursday said the meeting was "quite productive." Reports said Obama promised full engagement and support to the House members, who are understandably worried under a political climate thatâ€™s heavily anti-incumbent.