How many time has this House refused to raise the debt limit? Zero. Increased spending would not happen if the House did not want it to. They are either complicit or rotten to the core cowards, you pick.
The GOP starts every negotiation by promising they won't cause a government shutdown.
It's hard to win a negotiation by demonstrating at the outset you won't use your most effective weapon.
I agree the House has botched the debt limit negotiations. But it's important to recognize that's the only effective tool they've been left with to control spending.