White House says Obama would sign short-term debt limit bill

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http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-short-term-debt-limit-bill-20131010,0,5939095.story

White House says Obama would sign short-term debt limit bill
Kathleen Hennessey and Christi Parsons | October 10, 2013, 11:07 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Obama likely would sign legislation allowing the government to continue borrowing to cover obligations in the short term, even if it is not coupled with a measure reopening the government, a White House spokesman said Thursday.

“He wants Congress to do both. He wants Congress to fulfill both of its responsibilities,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters. “If Congress takes action without partisan strings attached, that would be a good thing.”

Later asked if Obama would sign a debt-limit bill without an accompanying spending bill, Carney said, “yes.”

The comments came hours after House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) proposed a six-week debt limit increase. Such a measure would remove the threat of federal default when the government runs out of borrowing authority sometime around Oct. 17. Boehner’s plan would be linked to a commitment by Obama to negotiate with Republicans over the budget, but would not be tied to any concrete changes in policy.