Here’s a roundup of this morning’s must-read budget and economic stories:

Bloomberg reports the House could vote as early as today on its $554 billion defense spending bill for fiscal year 2013.

House Speaker John Boehner reiterated his position that another increase in the debt ceiling must be combined with spending cuts. Roll Call has the details.

The Daily Caller reports the federal government has spent about $70 billion on “climate change activities” since 2008.

The Washington Post says Republicans want to reform the tax code next year.

The Wall Street Journal says leaders in Greece have said the country will stop paying its debts if the EU cuts off aid. The Washington Post looks at how continued strife in Europe  is affecting U.S. and world markets.

On the opinion pages: Matthew Philips argues the coming “fiscal cliff” will drive the U.S. back into recession.