House Speaker Boehner opposes delay in automatic budget cuts WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top Republican lawmaker John Boehner said on Wednesday that he would oppose any delay in the automatic budget cuts that are set to kick in March 1, without other spending cuts and reforms. "At some point Washington has to deal with its spending problem," Boehner, the speaker of the House of Representatives, told reporters. About $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts will go into effect if Congress does not pass legislation to change the law. Half of the cuts will hit the defense department. Reporting by David Lawder and Tom Ferraro; Editing by Doina Chiacu