Senate Democrats Push Biden On The 14th Amendment
Its use, even untested constitutionally, would be "far better" than default, Sen Smith says
A group of progressive Democrats in the Senate are pushing President Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment in order to spare the nation from further Republican political hostage-taking and a potentially catastrophic federal default and wider economic meltdown.
The federal government has hit its cap on paying its bills, and the extraordinary measures which the government has been using in the meantime will run out as early as June 1.
Although Congress has approved an increase in the government's debt limit dozens of times under presidents of both parties in past decades, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other House Republicans want to hold such an increase hostage to Biden and Democrats agreeing to a raft of draconian cuts in federal spending.
The president, however, has ruled out any such negotiations while using the debt ceiling as a political weapon.
The two sides have stepped up their pace of negotiations trying to find a solution but the nation's so-called “x date,” or date of default, is now just a couple of weeks away.
“If anybody can negotiate a reasonable agreement with these extremist Republicans, it's Joe Biden,” Sen Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said. “The fact that they haven't taken default on our debt off the table is a sign that they're essentially trying to hold our entire economy hostage.”
Smith and other Senate Democrats have sent Biden a letter telling him to be ready to invoke the 14th Amendment “ready to go” as an option to bypass the debt ceiling and allow the US government to continue paying its bills.
Section 4 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution ensures government debts are paid.
That section reads:
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Biden, for the first time publicly, acknowledged that he has “been considering” use of the 14th Amendment.
And now Senate Democrats are backing that option.
“They are essentially saying, unless we give in to their hostage-taking, their strategy is to cut food programs and health programs for women and seniors and kids,” Smith said. “By the way, they won't even consider raising a penny more in taxes from their wealthy buddies and big corporations. That's completely unacceptable.
“So we don't want to take the path of invoking the 14th Amendment, but if they leave us no choice we are not going to be held hostage by their extremism,” she added. “I think it's important for them to hear that as they negotiating with the president, who is being eminently reasonable and looking for a path forward.”
Smith acknowledges that the constitutionality of using the 14th Amendment in this way hasn't been tested, but that would be a “far better option than to experience the catastrophic consequences of a default.”
Please support our work…
Also, please subscribe…