Rep. Paul Ryan Among GOP Picks To Attend Summit

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
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Minority Leader John Boehner has named Rep. Paul Ryan as one of his picks to attend the White House health care summit, something President Obama might use to put Republicans on the spot about Ryan’s proposal to cut Social Security and create a voucher system for Medicare.

Boehner will bring Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA), Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Ryan (R-WI), the Daily Caller reported.

In a release, Boehner announced the attendees in addition to health care ranking members and GOP leadership. He also announced his plans for a GOP Health Care “Truth Squad.”

Boehner’s office said it would be “a team of Republicans ready to fact-check misstatements from Washington Democrats and highlight Republicans’ better solutions to lower health care costs – while the Republican summit team participates at the Blair House.”

Boehner (R-OH) said on Fox News the summit is nothing more than a “six-hour infomercial.”

The other members attending are Boehner, Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Energy & Commerce Committee ranking member Joe Barton (R-TX), Ways & Means Committee ranking member Dave Camp (R-MI) and Education & Labor Committee ranking member John Kline (R-MN).

Earlier today Boehner spokesman Michael Steel complained the White House wouldn’t allow the GOP to invite a governor.

Steel said it was unfair the White House “unilaterally” invited Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) to the summit. An Obama aide confirmed that Wyden was attending and said Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell would be able to choose an additional member on their side.

Late Update: Boehner also asked Obama to invite Rep. Bart Stupak, a pro-life Democrat, to the summit. In a letter to the president, Boehner said he wanted pro-life forces “appropriately represented.”

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