Boehner: Spending Curbs, No Tax Hikes in Debt Deal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, told deficit-reduction negotiators on Sunday that budget cuts must exceed the amount by which the debt ceiling is raised and said any deal must exclude tax hikes.

An agreement that builds on the work of a group led by Vice President Joe Biden shows the most promise, an aide to Boehner said on Sunday, after negotiations by President Barack Obama and congressional leaders at the White House lasted about 75 minutes.

"The Speaker told the group that he believes a package based on the work of the Biden group is the most viable option at this time for moving forward," the aide said.

Boehner told Sunday's session that Republicans consider as "fundamental principles" that spending cuts should exceed the amount they will agree to raise the debt ceiling, and that any deal will restrain future spending and include "no tax hikes." (Reporting by Laura MacInnis and Caren Bohan; Editing by Philip Barbara)