On ABC's Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said Republicans are listening to the American people, and working for the "largest number of spending cuts possible" to create a better environment for job growth and to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year. Boehner also addressed today's vote on a common-sense troop funding bill that will cut $12 billion over the next week - the latest effort by House Republicans to reduce spending while keeping the government running - and The Path to Prosperity outlined by Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). Below is the video and several excerpts from the interview:

Boehner on Working for the Largest Spending Cuts Possible to Help Our Economy & Create Jobs:

"I’m fighting for the largest number of spending cuts possible. Because it really will help our economy. This is what the American people had to say last November. They wanted us to cut spending in Washington, D.C. and they wanted us to do everything we could to help create jobs in our country."

Boehner on Cleaning Up the Budget Mess Left by the Previous Democratic Majority:

"Remember where all this started.  The Democrats controlled the House last year, they controlled the Senate.  Big majorities in both the House and Senate.  And we had a Democrat in the White House.  They should have done this budget last year.  They couldn’t come to an agreement.  And so, when they got to December, they punted-- and funded the government through March 4th.  Now, we’ve kept the government open while cutting about $10 billion worth of spending.  We’re cleaning up last year’s mess."

Boehner on the Open Process Used to Pass H.R. 1 to Fund the Government 47 Days Ago, Versus Senate Democrats' Failure to Pass a Bill:

"[T]he House worked its will.  For the first time in all the years that I’ve been here, the House was allowed to work its will.  All Members were allowed to offer amendments.  And what we came up with was $100 billion worth of spending cuts.  And specific policy riders that have been a part of every appropriations process.  And we sent it over to the Senate.  It’s been [47] days.  The Senate has not acted.  And they’re negotiating from a position where they have no bill that they’ve passed."

Boehner on the Need for Provisions That Protect Taxpayers & Remove Barriers to Job Growth:

"There has never been an appropriation process where there were not limitations on what the Administration could do.  When it comes to an out of control bureaucracy in Washington, we know that that’s also getting in the way of creating jobs in America.  The EPA’s out of control.  And the American people do not want taxpayer dollars used to fund elective abortions."

Boehner on Today's Vote to Fund Our Troops & Cut Another $12 Billion Over the Next Week:

"I have said this a thousand times since the first of the year.  I do not want to shut the government down. ... I think that is irresponsible. ... And the House will act as soon as tomorrow to ensure that the government is open while we work to reduce spending."

Boehner on Chairman Paul Ryan's Budget, The Path to Prosperity, Which Will Spur Job Growth, Stop Washington from Spending Money It Doesn't Have & Lift Our Crushing Debt Burden:

"We’ve made it clear that we were not gonna punt.  We were not gonna whistle past the graveyard like Congresses in the past. ... We’ve got big issues facing our country and it’s time to face up to them.  Paul Ryan did a marvelous job in outlining how we can reform this government.  How we can put it on a path to prosperity.  And I’m proud of the work that he did."

Boehner on Urging President Obama to Protect Health & Retirement Programs for American Seniors Instead of “Doing Nothing”:

"You know what the greatest single threat to Medicare is?  Doing nothing.  Doing nothing is the greatest threat to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.  The American people know this.  And they wonder why Washington will never fess up to the big challenges that face us. ... The President – I’ve been begging the President for months: 'Mr. President, let’s lock arms.' ... When are we going to face up to the big challenges that our country faces?"