Full Transcript: John Boehner Statement On Shutdown And Debt Limit

John BoehnerHere is the full transcript courtesy of Federal News Service when House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) issued his statement regarding the government shutdown and debt limit.

Q: Mr. Speaker, can you tell us please, what would you say to military families who have just been denied death benefits due to the shutdown?

SPEAKER BOEHNER: Last week, the Congress passed the Pay Our Military Benefits Act. We gave broad authority to the Department of Defense to pay all kinds of bills, including this. And frankly, I think it’s disgraceful that they’re withholding these benefits.

But again, tomorrow, the House is going to act specifically on this and I hope the president will sign it.

Q: Mr. Speaker, the president — go ahead.

Q: Mr. Speaker, the president made it extremely clear that he isn’t going to negotiate. You are making it extremely clear that you have to negotiate. What happens, in all candor, if it is 11:59 on October 17th and we’re not there?

SPEAKER BOEHNER: You know, in times like this, the American people expect their leaders to sit down and have a conversation. I want that conversation to occur now.

Q: Speaker, the president said today that he would negotiate if there was a temporary deal to open government —

SPEAKER BOEHNER: What the president said today was, if there is unconditional surrender by Republicans, he’ll sit down and talk to us. That’s not the way our government works.

Thanks, everybody.

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