WASHINGTON — A spokesman for the White House defended the relationship between President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Friday at a press briefing.
"I continue to be confident, and I know that the president is confident that the strong working relationship — and the effective, productive working relationship — that we've had over the last six years will continue for the next two," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.
At a long meeting with House Democrats Thursday night, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough implored the caucus to vote for a government spending bill many of them disagreed with. Pelosi, along with Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, broke with leadership and the White House, and still voted against the bill.
On the House floor Thursday, Pelosi said Democrats were being "blackmailed" into voting for the bill.
Though Earnest didn't confirm whether Obama called Pelosi after the vote, he said the president has an "open line of communication" with Pelosi and that "didn't change" Thursday and "it's not going to change in the future."
The Senate still needs to approve the long term spending bill, which progressives and conservatives alike have continued to oppose.