The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News' Jayce Henderson, Amanda VanAllen, and Jordan Mazza

DEBT CEILING: The Hill's Peter Schroeder: " Obama knocks GOP on debt limit, says US not a "deadbeat nation'" Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Monday that the government could default on its obligations as soon as mid-February, a warning issued hours after President Obama appealed for Congress to raise the borrowing limit with as little drama as possible. In a letter sent to congressional leaders, Geithner said that lawmakers might have just one month to raise the $16.4 trillion debt ceiling and that the Treasury Department is close to exhausting its "extraordinary measures" to avoid default. LINK

The Los Angeles Time's Kathleen Hennessey, Lisa Mascaro and Christi Parsons: " Obama appears to gain ground in spending battle" With the government just weeks from running out of money to pay its bills, President Obama and prominent Republicans have started to act as if the White House has the upper hand in the current round of the battle over federal spending. In recent days, Obama rebuffed suggestions that he consider ways to sidestep the need to raise the limit on the government's debt, reinforcing his demand for a congressional vote. LINK

The Washington Times' Susan Crabtree: " Rhetoric heats up on debt ceiling" Republicans and conservative groups rebuffed President Obama's latest attempt to pressure GOP lawmakers to back down from using the debt ceiling as leverage to extract serious, long-term spending cuts from Democrats. After a White House news conference Monday in which the president called Republican threats to hold the line on the nation's borrowing "irresponsible," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, said he couldn't think of a better opportunity than the upcoming fight over raising the debt limit to force Democrats to address the deficit. LINK

The Washington Post's Zachary A. Goldfarb and Philip Rucker: " Obama: No negotiations with GOP over debt ceiling" President Obama vowed Monday that he would not negotiate with Republicans over the federal debt ceiling, warning that Social Security checks would be delayed and the nation could enter a new recession if Republicans do not agree to raise the limit on government borrowing. LINK

GUN CONTROL: ABC News' Gary Langer: " After Newtown Shootings, Most Back Some Gun Controls, Poll Shows" A majority of Americans favor such gun control measures as banning assault weapons and expanding background checks on those who buy guns and ammunition, with support for banning high-capacity ammunition magazines at a new high in ABC News/Washington Post polls. With Vice President Joe Biden set to present recommendations that were prompted by the Newtown, Conn., school shootings last month, this latest poll shows overwhelming support for certain moves: Eighty-eight percent favor background checks on firearms buyers at gun shows; 76 percent support checks on buyers of ammunition and 71 percent back a new federal database that would track all gun sales. LINK

USA Today's David Jackson: " Obama to roll out gun plan this week" President Obama said Monday he will roll out a legislative package to combat gun violence this week and indicated he continues to back gun control measures that include a renewed assault weapons ban. At a White House news conference, Obama expressed support for a new and improved background check system and restrictions on the size of high-capacity ammunition magazines. LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Laura Nahmias: " New York Nears Gun Limits" Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers agreed late Monday on a series of new gun-control laws that would make New York the first state to put new restrictions on firearms after the Newtown, Conn., school shooting in mid-December. The bill passed the state Senate Monday at about 11:20 p.m. by a vote of 43-18, and the more liberal state Assembly said it would take up the measure on Tuesday morning. LINK

The New York Times' Michael D. Shear and Jennifer Steinhauer: " Obama Willing to Use Executive Orders on Guns" President Obama this week will embrace a comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence that will call for major legislation to expand background checks for gun purchases and lay out 19 separate actions the president could take by invoking the power of his office, lawmakers who were briefed on the plan said Monday. LINK

Politico's Reid J. Epstein: " Biden: W.H. readies 19 executive actions on guns" The White House has identified 19 executive actions for President Barack Obama to move unilaterally on gun control, Vice President Joe Biden told a group of House Democrats on Monday, the administration's first definitive statements about its response to last month's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS: " President Obama News: 'We Are Not a Deadbeat Nation'" LINK " President Obama: 'I Like a Good Party,' But …" LINK

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