US House Speaker John Boehner speaks to reporters on the government shutdown during a press availability on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, capital of the United States, October 4, 2013. He said that the US government needs to deal with its spending problem, stressing that the Republicans want neither a government shutdown nor a default. Photo: Xinhua

 
US House Speaker John Boehner said on Friday that the US government needs to deal with its spending problem, stressing that the Republicans want neither a government shutdown nor a default.

"The American people don't want their government (to) shut down, and neither do I," Boehner said in a Republican news conference at the Capitol Hill. He also loudly denounced the quote in the Wall Street Journal from a White House official who said "we don't care how long this lasts, because we're winning."

"This isn't some damn game," said Boehner angrily, adding "All we're asking for is to sit down and have a discussion and to bring fairness to the American people under Obamacare. It's as simple as that. But, it all has to begin with a simple discussion."

But as for the condition to pass a funding bill, Boehner seemed firm to seek changes in the Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, a position that President Barack Obama and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid strongly opposed.

Boehner's comments indicated the political stalemate over funding will not end soon, although the partial US federal government shutdown has entered into the fourth day.

With an Oct. 17 debt-ceiling deadline looming, Boehner stressed the need to cut deficit and the urgency of a default on debt.

"I don't believe that we should default on our debt. It's not good for our country," Boehner said, adding "after 55 years of spending more than what you bring in, something ought to be addressed."