Boehner: Obama 'sorely mistaken' about House passing tax increases

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) called President Obama "sorely mistaken" that the House will support tax increases in a deal to raise the debt limit.

Boehner was quick to respond to remarks that Obama made in a Wednesday news conference, in which the president suggested that the House would vote for a measure to close so-called tax loopholes.

“The President is sorely mistaken if he believes a bill to raise the debt ceiling and raise taxes would pass the House. ...  A debt limit increase can only pass the House if it includes spending cuts larger than the debt limit increase; includes reforms to hold down spending in the future; and is free from tax hikes," Boehner said in a written statement.

The Speaker gave his word "that the House will act on" a measure that meets "these tests."

The House is currently out of session for a week-long district work period.

Boehner met with Obama privately last Wednesday. On Thursday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) pulled out of negotiations on the debt ceiling led by Vice President Biden, because the group was stymied by the issue of raising taxes. Republicans have said since the beginning of this debate that tax hikes were off the table, in terms of paying for the needed increase in the nation's debt ceiling.

Still, Boehner said that the president has been "awol" on the debate thus far, and doesn't understand that the House won't vote for a package that would increase taxes.

"The votes simply aren’t there — and they aren’t going to be there, because the American people know tax hikes destroy jobs. They also know Washington has been on a spending binge for many years, and they will only tolerate a debt limit increase if we stop it," Boehner said.

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