House Democrat: If Republicans Hold Debt Ceiling Hostage, Invoke 14th Amendment To Raise It

[BlueStreak]

15. All the spending that created the debt is authorized by law

The point is, make the Republicans prove that the 14th amendment doesn't work here. There are plenty of scholars who believe it does, and my opinion is that the SCOTUS would have a very tough time ruling otherwise. The Amendment seems perfectly clear to me. The effect of the debt ceiling is to put the credit of the nation into question, and that is exactly what the Amendment says cannot happen.

By invoking the 14th amendment, this takes the hostage power away from the GOP no matter how the issue is ultimately decided. Obama wins regardless of the outcome.

Taking even the threat of the 14th off the table is horrible negotiating -- really inept.