House speaker: Action on debt ceiling to avert shutdown must be tied to budget cuts

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, reacted coolly Thursday to the Obama administration's notification of its intent to formally request an increase in the nation's debt limit, and warned that the new House Republican majority will not go along with the request unless there is some meaningful action to cut spending.

"Spending cuts-and reforming a broken budget process-are top priorities for the American people and for the new majority in the House this year, and it is essential that the president and Democrats in Congress work with us in that effort," said Boehner. "The American people will not stand for such an increase unless it is accompanied by meaningful action by the president and Congress to cut spending and end the job-killing spending binge in Washington.

"While America cannot default on its debt, we also cannot continue to borrow recklessly, dig ourselves deeper into this hole, and mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren."

Boehner's remarks came as he has publicly acknowledged that some within the House GOP ranks -- including many freshmen members -- are opposed to raising the debt ceiling. But he also has suggested it is an issue that must be dealt with.

"We're going to have to deal with it as adults," Boehner said late last year. "Whether we like it or not, the federal government has obligations and we have obligations on our part."