Rubio had been invited but had not committed for most of the day of the dinner. The Florida Republican’s office said immigration meetings might get in the way of him going to the dinner, but later said he would attend.

Besides Rubio, Sens. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), John Boozman (Ark.), Susan Collins (Maine), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Deb Fisher (Neb.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Johnny Isackson (Ga.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), John Thune (S.D.) Roger Wicker (Miss.) dined with Obama.

Obama’s first meeting with Senate Republicans, last month, did not result in any new policy breakthroughs but senators left the meeting feeling more optimistic about possibly brooking a deal on deficit reduction.