House

Ryan and Pelosi dine together as spending bill looms

by Bradford Richardson - 12/12/15 10:22 AM ET

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday had a two-hour dinner together at the Speaker’s office in the Capitol, CNN reported Saturday morning.

The rendezvous came days before Congress tackles a must-pass spending bill with the threat of a government shutdown looming.

{mosads}CNN said the leaders spent most of the time “getting to know each other,” not haggling over details in the budget.

The meal comprised of steak and fries from Medium Rare, a Capitol Hill-area restaurant. Pelosi finished with chocolate over carrot cake, while Ryan, a health enthusiast, refrained from the dessert tray.

Ryan and Pelosi have previously had conversations over the phone, and the pair spoke earlier in the day when Democrats pushed for adding gun-violence research to the spending bill.

Pelosi plans to remain in Washington over the weekend until the legislation is complete, while Ryan will head back to Wisconsin for a few days.

Both sides hope to have the bill ready by Monday.

President Obama signed a short-term spending bill Friday, giving Congress until Wednesday to pass legislation keeping the government open.

Tags Nancy Pelosi Paul Ryan