Boehner says debt ceiling must be raised, Obama isn’t serious about deficit reduction

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who is facing pressure from fiscal hawks and tea partiers to oppose raising the debt ceiling, said Sunday that he believes the limit must be raised, and soon.

"I'm ready to cut the deal today," Boehner told CBS "Face the Nation" host Harry Smith. "We don't have to wait until the eleventh hour. We have a moment--a window of opportunity--to act, because if we don't act, the market is going to act for us."

The eleventh hour effectively arrived Monday. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner had previously informed Congress that the federal government would hit the $14.3 trillion debt limit effective today.

Boehner has stated that he would agree to raise the debt ceiling if actions are taken to reduce spending by a comparable amount. He announced last week that tax hikes must not be a part of any deal.

A potential compromise has yet to be reached, and Boehner said there's no one to blame but the president for the delay.

After watching a clip of several of the president's recent statements on the economy, including one where Obama discussed his administration's struggles to work with the GOP, Boehner said on "Face the Nation": "It makes me think that he's really not serious about tackling the big problems that face our country." Smith pressed Boehner, asking: "You don't think he's serious about deficit reduction?"

"He's talking about it, but I've not seen real action," Boehner replied.

You can watch the interview below: