Source: Boehner Will Rely on Democrats to Raise Debt Ceiling If He Has To

Dispensing of Hastert rule

The federal government may not be hit with a double whammy on top of the ongoing shutdown, as House Speaker John Boehner told a group of fellow GOP legislators that he won't let the nation default on its debt, according to a House Republican.

Boehner said that he'd set aside the "Hastert Rule"—that Republicans would only bring measures up for a vote if they are backed by a majority of their caucus—and rely on Democrats to pass a measure to raise the nation's debt limit, said the House member. This legislator attended a meeting Wednesday involving Boehner, but requested anonymity because that gathering was private.