Boehner tells Republicans to stay united on debt deal

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner on Sunday told his fellow Republicans that "there is a path" to cut U.S. spending and raise the debt ceiling, but it will require his party to accept sacrifices, according to two sources who heard his message.

On a conference call, Boehner said he does not think it is possible to negotiate a large spending-cut deal directly with the White House, the sources said.

He told Republicans he is drafting legislation that reflects the principles of a strict spending-cut bill that failed in the Democratic-controlled Senate last week, the sources said.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Sandra Maler)