As Congress heads into a week of intense budget talks -- and a possible government shutdown -- House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said today that Republicans will fight for as many spending cuts as possible, and he cast the effort as a jobs issue.

"The spending binge in Washington is holding our country back and keeping our economy from creating jobs," Boehner said in the weekly Republican radio address.

Boehner spoke less than a week before the expiration of the continuing resolution that is funding the government. If Republicans and Democrats are unable to strike a budget deal by late Friday the government will shut down.

"Now, you've heard Democratic leaders claim an agreement has been reached on this issue, but let me be clear: There is no agreement," Boehner said. "Republicans continue to fight for the largest spending cuts possible to help end Washington's job-crushing spending binge."

President Obama said he is hopeful the parties will reach agreement and avoid a shutdown, but he will oppose cuts to such key economic programs as education, infrastructure and research and development.

"We've got to make those investments," Obama said. "Otherwise we're going to fall behind other countries."

The Republican radio address: