Congressman John Boehner (R-OH) joined Fox News Sunday for his first Sunday interview since being elected Speaker of the House. Boehner addressed the situation in Egypt first. I think the administration, our administration so far has handled this tense situation pretty well. Clearly reforms need to occur in Egypt, and frankly, anyplace around the world where people are calling out for freedom and democracy, I think we have a responsibility to respond. Boehner said he agreed with fellow Republican Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) who said the US must stand with our ally Egypt to preserve an imperfect government capable of reform and prevent a tyrannical government capable of harm." I believe that Mr. McCotter said it exactly right. What we don't want are radical ideologies to take control of a very large and important country in the Middle East. Boehner added that there are legitimate grievances that the Egyptian people have and they need to be addressed. Whether that is through free and fair elections, whether it's through more democratic reforms in the short-term, I think all of these again are moving in the right direction. The other headline this week was the contrast presented Tuesday night between the presidents plan forward, delivered in his State of the Union address, and the Republican response given by new House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). The president of the United States is asking us to increase the debt limit. But on Tuesday night, he didn't even address it. And I don't think the American people will tolerate increasing the debt limit without serious reductions in spending and changes to the budget process so that we can make sure that this never happens again. Boehner said, All he did was call for more stimulus spending. I think our team has been listening to the American people. They want to us reduce spending, and there is no limit to the amount of spending we're willing to cut. Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace asked Boehner about White House claims that the Republicans plan to reduce spending to 2008 levels, in effect instituting a 20% spending cut, would hurt important programs like Head Start, the FBI and other areas of government. If you wanted to do an across-the-board cut, that's what you would have, but, Boehner said, he expects a more target approach will be recommended. The new Speaker said the House will consider the continuing resolution the week of February 14, under an open process. Some may want to cut more. Some may want to cut less. But I'm going to allow the House to work its will. Addressing the debt limit, which is estimated to be met by the end of March, Boehner agreed defaulting would be a financial disaster not only for our country, but for the worldwide economy. He added though, I don't think it's a question that is even on the table. On entitlements Boehner said he thinks it's time for Washington to have an adult conversation with the American people about the big challenges that face us. He pointed to the other chamber as an impediment to progress though. We've got the Senate majority leader who says there's no problem in Social Security. And if we can't get Senate Democrats and their leader to recognize that we've got real problems, I don't know how we begin to move down this path of having this adult conversation that I'd like to have and I, frankly, like the president would like to have. Asked whether he thinks there is any chance of getting any reform to entitlements passed before everyone goes into campaign mode, Boehner replied, "I'm an optimist.