Boehner Stands By Cantor

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) defended Eric Cantor (R-Va.) Thursday amid charges from Democratic lawmakers that the House Majority Leader has been obstructing debt limit negotiations.

“Any suggestion that the role Eric has played in this meeting has been anything less than helpful is just wrong,” Boehner said during a press conference with Republican leaders. “I’m glad Eric is there, and those who have other opinions can keep them to themselves.”

Cantor and President Obama were said to have butted heads during a contentious meeting at the White House Wednesday that reportedly ended with the President storming out of the room.

Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement saying that Cantor should not be at the table during the debt talks and implied that he was not negotiating in good faith.

Reid’s apparent frustration with Cantor follows reports that the House leader had split with Boehner by catering toward the more hard-line members of the Republican party. However, during Thursday’s briefing, Cantor denied any division among the GOP ranks.

“The Speaker and I have consistently been on the same page,” Cantor said. “We are going to abide by our principles … and I’m sure the Speaker joins me in that.”

Negotiations are set to continue late Thursday afternoon at the White House.