US President Barack Obama said he would refuse to negotiate with congressional Republicans over raising the nation's debt ceiling. Obama also refused to give in to their attempts in reducing funds from his signature healthcare-law

Obama said during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's annual awards dinner, "Let me say as clearly as I can: it is not going to happen. We will not negotiate over whether or not America should keep its word or meet its obligations."

House Republicans had been proposing to suspend US borrowing limit for a one year period tied to deficit reduction measures. The lawmakers also proposed adding a one year delay measure to Obama's health care law.

Obama also added that the work of those who fought for civil rights would not be complete unless every American had the opportunity to work their way into the middle class.

The President also cited proposals to decrease college costs and expand funding for pre-kindergarten education. He also cited his proposal to increase the current minimum wage in the US. Obama said that the new health care law would help those who had been struggling with medical costs to get insurance.