What They're Saying: GOP leaders challenge President Obama to get serious about spending cuts

Natalie Gonnella

Republican leaders John Boehner and Mitch McConnell each made appearances today via Sunday morning news programs.

On different networks, during their discussions, each made a point to reiterate the GOP's position on fiscal reform, challenging President Obama to get serious about spending cuts and reducing the national deficit (below is a look at what they had to say):

House Speaker John Boehner:

The president of the United States is asking us to increase the debt limit. But on Tuesday night, he didn't even address it. And I don't think the American people will tolerate increasing the debt limit without serious reductions in spending and changes to the budget process, so that we can make sure that this never happens again. The other night, all he did was call for more stimulus spending. I think our team has been listening to the American people. They want to us reduce spending, and there is no limit to the amount of spending we're willing to cut.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

Let's look at what went on the last two years. You know, we added $3 trillion to the deficit and lost three million jobs. We took government spendingfrom 20 percent of gross domestic product , domestic GDP , up to 25 percent of GDP . Look , what we've been doing doesn't work. And I think the message from the American people was clear, "Don't do that anymore." We're going to give the president an opportunity to reduce our annual deficit, which is completely out of control. And I hope, David -- I agree with The Washington Post editorial this morning. I was disappointed in the president's unwillingness to, to address our long-term unfunded liabilities.

Senator McConnell went on to later add that:

We have two opportunities to do something important for the country on spending and debt. We ought not to miss this opportunity. The president ought to step up to the plate with us and tackle it together.