Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is followed by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas leaving the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Barack Obama says he won’t let Republicans threaten a debt ceiling crisis to extract deeper federal spending cuts, but congressional Republicans say he has no choice. The tough talk suggests this year’s political fight could be even nastier and more nerve-grating than the “fiscal cliff” showdown.WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, meet Congressman Michael Burgess.
The president says he absolutely will not let Republicans threaten a national debt ceiling crisis as a way to extract deeper federal spending cuts.
Burgess’ take?
“It’s the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard,” the Texas Republican says. “He’s going to have to negotiate.”
Both sides may be bluffing, of course. They may reach an agreement before the debt-limit matter becomes a crisis in March, or possibly late February.