Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the candidates' presence could be a distraction during the talks.
"I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Sen. Obama's suggestion. But it would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation's economy," Reid said Wednesday.
"If that changes, we will call upon them. We need leadership, not a campaign photo op."