WASHINGTON - US House Speaker John Boehner said on Friday that the U.S. government needs to deal with its spending problem, stressing that the Republicans want neither a government shutdown nor a default. ? ?

"The American people don't want their government (to) shut down, and neither do I," Boehner said in a Republican news conference at the Capitol Hill.

"All we're asking for is to sit down and have a discussion and to bring fairness to the American people under Obamacare. It's as simple as that. But, it all has to begin with a simple discussion, " he added.

"I don't believe that we should default on our debt. It's not good for our country," Boehner said. "But after 55 years of spending more than what you bring in, something ought to be addressed."