Debt-ceiling showdown: Time for Obama to invoke the 14th amendment?
House Democrats say if Republicans won't agree to a long-term solution to the debt crisis, the president should impose one on his own
![Obama](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fRorhoobvG5dHYyDXR6fpj-415-80.jpg)
A group of House Democrats is urging President Obama to raise the debt ceiling by executive order to keep Republicans from "destroying government." Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the third-ranking House Democrat, says if the best Congress can offer by the Aug. 2 deadline is a short-term fix, Obama should invoke the 14th Amendment, which says the validity of U.S. government debts "shall not be questioned." That, Clyburn says, "will bring calm to the American people and will bring needed stability to our financial markets." Is the 14th Amendment the answer?
Yes, if that is what it takes: It's about time somebody stood up to the GOP's "Tea Party extortionist wing," which is holding the nation, and the economy, hostage, says Taylor Marsh at her blog. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has "caved" to "Obamanomic Republicanism," so it's encouraging to see there are still leaders protecting "the principles of what it means to be a Democrat." Obama, with his "austerity fetish," won't invoke the 14th Amendment, but one can dream.
"Pelosi falls to austerity craze, Clyburn-Becerra cite 14th Amendment"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Obama would be impeached if he pulled this stunt: It's surely tempting for Congress to let President Obama wave a "magic wand" and make the debt ceiling issue disappear, says The Washington Times in an editorial. "Fortunately, this supposed presidential power doesn't exist." The 14th Amendment empowers Congress, not the president, to handle the debt, so Obama would be committing an "impeachable offense" if he ignored the Constitution and made up the law on his own.
"The debt ceiling and dictatorship"
Just mentioning the 14th Amendment might help: The White House has been downplaying the 14th Amendment as an option, says Jon Walker at Firedoglake. But it's hard to believe that Clyburn would come out so strongly in favor of it without Obama's tacit approval. This might just be an attempt to reassure the markets, but it could also "be a move to try to convince conservative House Republicans that they risk getting no cuts at all if they don't agree to a deal soon."
"Push for 14th Amendment solution grows stronger"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published