This Article is From Oct 09, 2013

Highlights: Barack Obama tells Republicans to end threats, pass Budget

Washington: More than a week into the US government shutdown, US President Barack Obama today urged Republicans end the threat and pass the Budget.

Here's what Obama said in his address at the White House:

  • Had a conversation with Boehner earlier
  • House Republicans do not get to demand a ransom for doing their job
  • Two of their basic jobs are passing a Budget and making sure America is paying its bills
  • Talks shouldnt require threats... thats not how America works
  • You don't say 'I'm going to cause a recession'
  • What if democrats hold the economy ransom and threaten Republicans with gun and immigration reforms?
  • The economic shutdown caused by America defaulting would be dramatically worse
  • It doesn't raise our debt - what this does is you pay for what the Congress has already authorised
  • Warren Buffet likened default to a nuclear bomb... it may permanently increase our borrowing costs
  • Raising the debt ceiling is a lousy name which is why members of the Congress don't like to vote on it... it doesn't help in political campaigns
  • I am happy to talk to Republicans about anything, I am willing to better the affordable healthcare act but will only negotiate after shutdown, debt threat is removed
  • I had to miss crucial meetings in Asia and this hurts American credibility globally... the greatest nation on earth should not need Congress permission for basic functioning
  • We have used emergency powers, and now the time is running out
  • We do not have bunch of rabits in our hat
  • There comes a point that the Treasury cannot pull auctions, we will not have enough money to pay our bills in time
  • There are no magic bullets here
  • Vote could take place today... serious negotiations could proceed after the vote

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