The Hill News

Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) won some praise from his one-time sparring partner, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), but it came at the expense of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Cantor said Monday he had worked together productively with Hoyer, his predecessor as House majority leader, and was scheduled to have lunch with him Tuesday before President Obama’s State of the Union address.

“We had lunch and actually met on several occasions last Congress,” Cantor told reporters when asked about the possibility he would sit next to Hoyer on Tuesday night.

He also said Hoyer had been supportive of “prudent” fiscal policy and looked forward to working with him on spending reductions. Cantor and Hoyer were known for their lengthy and, at times, caustic rejoinders on the House floor during the 111th Congress.

As for Pelosi, Cantor offered some unprompted and decidedly less charitable observations.

“I would say that i! s in stark contrast to the now-minority leader,” he said. “I would love to have the opportunity for her to engage in some type of working relationship so that we can actually deliver results. Thus far it seems she is continuing to drive the ideological agenda just the same as she did over the last four years.”

Pelosi’s office said she met regularly with her GOP counterpart, new Speaker John Boehner (Ohio).

“It's important to set the record straight,” spokesman Nadeam Elshami said. “The fact is, Leader Pelosi has met with Speaker Boehner on numerous occasions both as Speaker and since he became Speaker, and offered to hold regular meetings. Democrats remain committed to working with Republicans to create jobs, strength the middle class and reduce the deficit."