President Obama, right, on stage with House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md) after making opening remarks at the House Democratic Issues Conference in Philadelphia on Thursday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
This item has been updated.
PHILADELPHIA -- President Obama urged fellow Democrats Thursday night to "keep your powder a little dry" as he begins working with Republicans on securing fast-track trade authority.
He also called on them to "get informed, not by reading the Huffington Post," as Congress prepares to debate giving him the authority to complete work on the broad Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Obama's knock against the liberal-leaning news organization came on the same day that the Web site published an op-ed by him defending his forthcoming budget proposal.
The new pact between the United States and 11 other countries is a big priority for the Obama administration, which has been working with congressional Republicans to give the White House the authority needed to complete the agreement in the coming months. But many Democrats have said they won't vote to give Obama new trade authority unless they can review details of the TPP before they vote.
The administration has said that details of the agreement remain confidential, but Obama vowed Thursday night to work with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to ensure that the lawmakers "can have access to more information about the substance of the agreements as they come together," according to one staffer familiar with the president's comments.
Obama spoke here Thursday night at a two-day retreat of House Democrats and took questions from members behind closed doors. Earlier, reporters were present as Obama gave a spirited defense of his forthcoming budget request.
Concerns about the trade deal came up in response to a question from Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), according to several aides in the room not authorized to speak publicly about the exchange.
"Keep your powder a little dry," Obama told the crowd, adding later that he "will make a substantive case" for the trade deal. He also told the room that the new trade pact "will be an improvement from the status quo for U.S. workers and businesses," according to one staff member.
That point is in dispute, however, and many Democrats have said they will oppose any new trade agreement unless the administration can provide clear proof that the deal will help boost wages for American workers, especially those in the manufacturing sector.
Obama also took questions on infrastructure spending, higher education, the Affordable Care Act, funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, criminal justice reform and national security concerns.
Here are other highlights, based on details from staff members in the room:
-- Obama reiterated his request that Congress pass a bipartisan authorization of the use of military force to continue fighting against the threats of the Islamic State terror group.
-- When asked what he makes of the Republican congressional agenda, the president said flatly: "The other side does not have an agenda. They are bereft."
-- When Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) asked about Obama's decision to drop plans to cut tax benefits from 529 college savings plans, Obama told the room: "I know you took care of it, and thank you to [Pelosi]" for doing so.
-- Asked about criminal justice reform by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.), Obama said that a Justice Department task force exploring concerns in the wake of the uprising in Ferguson, Mo. is expected to make formal recommendations in a few weeks. "This is something I feel strongly about," he said.
-- Asked by Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) about ongoing talks with Iran about its nuclear program, the president said, "My simple request, which I do not think is unreasonable, is for Congress to let this play out for 2 to 3 months." But there is growing bipartisan support for legislation that would impose stricter sanctions on Iran if it fails to reach a new agreement with the United States and European nations.
