At a White House news conference, he said it would be "absurd" to use the borrowing limit as a negotiating chip.

 

But Republican House Speaker John Boehner said spending cuts should accompany a federal debt ceiling rise.

 

The US is expected to hit its $16.4tn borrowing limit by February unless lawmakers act.

 

Monday's press conference came a week before the inauguration² ceremony in Washington DC that will begin Mr Obama's second term.

 

 

With an agreement to prevent the so-called fiscal⁴ cliff of sharp spending cuts and tax increases barely two weeks old, Mr Obama faces another budget showdown with congressional Republicans.

 

The Democratic president warned lawmakers: "They will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the economy." 

 

He demanded that Republicans in charge of the House of Representatives approve a rise in the federal government's authority to borrow money to pay existing obligations - without seeking policy concessions⁵ in return.

 

The last debt ceiling battle between Congress and Mr Obama ended in July 2011, after bringing the nation close to default and resulting in a credit rating downgrade as well as financial market turmoil（混乱，骚动）.

 

"The full faith and credit of the United States of America is not a bargaining chip. And they [Republicans] better decide quickly because time is running short," Mr Obama said.

 

He said he was happy to engage in debate over US fiscal policy, but only after an increase in the debt limit.

 

"We are not a deadbeat nation," he said.

 

"While I'm willing to compromise and find common ground over how to reduce our deficits⁶, America cannot afford another debate with this Congress about whether or not they should pay the bills they've already racked up."

 

He added: "What I will not do is to have that negotiation⁷ with a gun at the head of the American people."

 

Afterwards, Mr Boehner, leader of the House Republicans, acknowledged the economic risk of failing to raise the debt ceiling. But he indicated the House would attach spending cuts to any measure to raise the federal borrowing authority.

点击收听单词发音