Gene Sperling dismisses notion that Congress must return from recess to focus on economy
National Economic Council director Gene Sperling dismissed the notion on Tuesday that Congress should come back from its August recess in light of recent economic uncertainty, noting that, when it comes to taking steps to improve the economy, the White House was focused on getting results - not holding "public meetings."
Sperling, in an appearance on MSNBC, said the issue at hand is "not how many times they meet together" but rather instilling "a meeting of the minds that we need bipartisan compromise."
"People can be assured -- this president will do everything that is constructive and productive to bring together that grand bargain," Sperling said. "There is not a single leader who did more work, harder, went more the extra mile than President Obama did to put that grand bargain together. He has helped sign this important down payment on deficit reduction and he's made clear in every way possible that he wants a grand bargain."
CBSNews.com special report: America's debt battle
A handful of lawmakers and public figures have called on Congress to return from its month-long recess as the economy continues to experience tumult.
On Friday, the credit rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the U.S.'s credit rating from AAA to AA+, a move it attributed to shortcomings in the recently passed debt limit deal and instability in the policymaking process that accompanied it.
Moreover, the Federal Reserve on Tuesday suggested the economy will remain weak for two more years, and that it expects to keep its key interest rate near zero through mid-2013. Stocks initially dropped, then rebounded, in light of the news.
Charles Stocks sink, then soar after Fed statement
Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., said on MSNBC there was "no question" that Congress should return to Washington.
"The president should call us back and to recognize that as important as reelections are in the House and the Senate, the integrity of our country is far more important," he said. "Just him bringing us together, saying that we are going to work to get jobs for the people and training for people."
"We are the actors, the tools, that are supposed to present us as to what people are proud of, and when you lose confidence, you can't buy it, you can't elect it," he added. "Confidence is something that you feel."
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., a Republican presidential contender, also urged Congress to reconvene in a Monday night appearance on Fox News.
"If I were president today, I would call all the members of Congress back into Washington, D.C., and I'd say this: 'Look, we are going to get this AAA credit rating back, and this is what we're going to do,'" Bachmann said.
Sperling, however, suggested that bringing Congress back to session would be of little use if lawmakers refused to compromise.
"What we need is more pressure on those who are insisting on firming up their positions, refusing to compromise, to decide nothing's off the table and they're willing to come to that table with an open mind and a spirit of compromise," he said. "We're focused on the results, not just having public meetings."
When asked if Mr. Obama had spoken with House Speaker John Boehner since S&P downgraded the credit of the U.S. government, Sperling was indirect.
"What this president has done has been as significant as anything I've seen and courageous as anything I've seen a president do," he said.
