President Barack Obama admonished Republicans in Congress not to use defunding Planned Parenthood as a bargaining chip in negotiating a hike in the debt ceiling.
"I think they have mischaracterized what Planned Parenthood does, but I understand they feel strongly and I respect that," Obama said at a White House news conference Friday.
President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the State Dining Room of the White House on Oct. 2, 2015. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"But you cannot have an issue like that potentially wreck the entire us economy anymore than I should hold the entire budget hostage through my desire to do something about gun violence," Obama continued. "I feel just as strongly about that. I think I have better evidence for it. But the notion that that unless they passed gun safety measures that would stop mass shootings I'm going to shut down the government and not sign an increase in the debt ceiling would be irresponsible of me. and the American people rightly would reject that."
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced Thursday the debt ceiling would likely have to be raised by Nov. 5.
"The same is true for them," Obama said. "If they want to defund Planned Parenthood, there is a way to do it. Pass a law. Override my veto. That is true across a whole bunch of issues that they disagree with me on."
This week, Congress passed a temporary spending bill to keep the government open through mid-December. But Obama pledged during the news conference that he would not sign another continuing resolution, and wanted a fiscal year budget deal.
"I want to be a clear, I will not sign another shortsighted spending bill like the one congress sent me this week," Obama said.
