MS. PERINO: Well, I would disagree that it fell apart at the White House. The President invited the leaders and both presidential candidates to come to the White House yesterday, gave them an opportunity to each have the floor to express any concerns. I would say the meeting was very constructive -- the large majority of it.

There's obviously concerns -- we've asked Congress to do something huge. We've asked them to bite off a lot and to pass some -- pass a massive package in a very short amount of time. And they've worked very hard. They had hearings quickly; they've educated their members. And the President thanked all of them. The members thanked the President for the speech that he gave Wednesday night, which they thought helped.

Now, there are alternatives and variations that some House Republican members have wanted to put forward, and Speaker Pelosi has been very clear that she wants to see a certain number of Republican votes. And John Boehner is working very hard to find -- to figure out a way, how can my members' considerations and concerns be included in this package in a way that will still solve the problem? So that's what they're working towards.

Yesterday afternoon was something that I think was -- it was a good moment for everyone to vent their frustrations, as well, if they had them. But I think what you see today, from the reaction of the members of Congress who left here, went back to Capitol Hill and worked until late into the evening -- they brought their staffs back in early this morning, and they're going to have further negotiations today. They all understand that they can get it done, and I appreciate that Senator Reid said that he doesn't see any reason why we couldn't get this done before opening bell on Monday.

seen at 09:00, 26 September in Whitehouse Press Briefings. Email this to a friend.
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