House speaker says Obama won't get 'blank check'

[July 26, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker John Boehner says President Barack Obama wants a blank check from Congress to raise the debt ceiling, but that he's not going to get one.

Boehner says the solution to the debt crisis isn't complicated. He says if you spend more than you take in, you have to spend less.

In his response to Obama's televised address to the nation, Boehner gave no indication of compromise.

The House speaker did say the U.S. cannot default. He said the crisis would be over if the Senate approves a new House Republican plan to be voted on in the House this week, and if the president signs it.

Obama and Boehner gave dueling remarks just about a week before an Aug. 2 deadline to raise the government's borrowing limit.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.