Obama held a prime-time press conference on Monday evening where he chastised Republicans for unwillingness to support the bill. He mentioned the “unprecedented” overtures he made to the GOP and accused some of possessing “ideological blockage.”
“Bipartisanship means more than just stopping by,” Pence said.
The Senate is expected to vote on passage of the bill this week. Then House and Senate negotiators will work out the differences between the bills before sending the bill back to both chambers for a final vote.
Pence was optimistic, at least in his remarks, some kind of package could be produced he would be able to support. “I know of no Republican in the Congress of the United States who wants to do nothing,” he said. Still, Pence said Republicans “genuinely believe in our heart of hearts this bill will not work. “
He expressed hope the public would continue pressuring Congress to pass a better bill.
“When the American people choose to be engaged anything can happen,” Pence added