Boehner urges Obama to cut spending to create jobs

House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday told President Barack Obama that cuts in federal spending would boost the economy and create private sector jobs. 

"I gave the President a statement by more than 100 economist urging both parties to cut spending now to boost private sector job creation," he said in prepared remarks. "The need is clear." 

In the statement, economists said Friday's jobs report that showed 95 percent of the 431,000 positions filled last month were temporary hires by the Census Bureau was a "source of disappointment and alarm." They also stressed that Obama distance himself from any plans to inject more government spending into the economy.

"Efforts to spark private-sector job creation through government 'stimulus' spending have been unsuccessful," the statement reads, adding, "As economists deeply concerned about our nation's future, we urge a change in direction. To support real economic growth and provide the spark needed to support creation of private-sector jobs, immediate action is needed to rein in federal spending." 

The economists noted that 46 percent of those unemployed have been out of work for six months or longer, a first for the American economy since charting the statistic.

Boehner gave the economists' statement to Obama during a congressional leadership meeting at the White House earlier today. 

Obama told reporters after the meeting that talks were constructive on the deficit and debt as well as on his plan for a three-year freeze on discretionary spending. 

"There was a good conversation among the leadership in terms of how we adhere to that number," Obama said. "And there was some other creative suggestions both from Republicans and Democrats about further progress that we could make on that front." 

Obama also said that Congress should pass the so-called tax extenders bill and legislation aimed at small business. Both provisions include a mix of tax breaks and spending initiatives. 

"Those measures need to be put in place," Obama said. "We need to get that done because the work of repairing this economy is not complete."

In addition, Obama said completing work on the financial reform bill and the war supplemental spending bill before the July 4 recess is crucial.