As we race closer and closer to crashing the debt ceiling like Willy Wonka in the Chocolate Factory skyrocketing in his glass elevator, many concerned Americans are urging President Obama take matters into his own hands by invoking the 14th Amendment.
The critical portion of the 14th Amendment to this crisis is Section 4, which reads in pertinent part:
“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.”
Former President Bill Clinton and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer have both come out publicly in favor of the President using this power. It would seem a bit odd for Congress to pass budgets and bills which create contractual obligations to then renege on such legally valid claims. These claims include pensions and wages to our soldiers and retirees, interest on the debt, as well as claims to third party venders who protect our shores and manufacture our tanks and aircraft.
So here’s your chance to be a Constitutional scholar.
Do you think Section 4 of the 14th Amendment authorizes the President to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling without the approval of Congress?
And if it does, should the President invoke this Section and thus require the Supreme Court to be the ultimate arbiter?
Let us know what you think!
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