Obama: House GOP Border Plan Is 'Extreme' And 'Going Nowhere' President Obama blasted House Republicans for focusing on "extreme" and "partisan message bills," rather than solving problems, highlighting how little lawmakers have accomplished before leaving town for a summer recess. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Obama noted signs of economic progress, but argued that "we could be much further along" if the GOP had agreed to "even basic" elements of his agenda.