US News

GOP on slash-the-debt deal: Not even close!

WASHINGTON — Dismal unemployment figures released yesterday complicated efforts to avert a looming US debt default, and a top Republican said negotiators were not close to a deal that would ensure continued borrowing.

Tamping down expectations that Democrats and Republicans could reach agreement over the weekend, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said the two sides must overcome serious disagreements on taxes and spending cuts.

“It’s not like there’s some imminent deal about to happen,” Boehner said. “This is a Rubik’s Cube that we haven’t quite worked out yet.”

Partisan finger-pointing erupted anew after a government report showed unemployment rose to 9.2 percent in June, dousing hopes the economy is picking up steam.