Obama, Boehner Make Their Debt Ceiling Cases In Speeches

President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) both made speeches about the debt ceiling debate last night.

Both politicians emphasized the importance of compromise to ensure the future strength of America’s economy, but both delivered partisan messages, according to The Washington Post.

Obama said that allowing the country to default would have disastorous consequences for many Americans. Boehner echoed this sentiment, but it was clear from the two speeches that both sides remain relatively far apart.

Boehner also chastised the government for spending taxpayer money recklessly.

“Here’s what we got for that spending binge: a massive healthcare bill that most Americans never asked for,” the Speaker said. “A ‘stimulus’ bill that was more effective in producing material for late-night comedians than it was in producing jobs. And a national debt that has gotten so out of hand it has sparked a crisis without precedent in my lifetime or yours.”

In his speech, the President pointed out that the debt ceiling had been raised multiple times over the past half-century, but Boehner said that assuming that this would continue to be the case was an example of Obama wanting “business as usual” in Washington.