I agree. Biden appears far too passive and hesitant to clarify the Administration alternative. He's making Kevin McCarthy look like a firm leader--on the model of say, Attila the Hun: Surrender or Die!
But there is a downside to any plan by the Biden Administration to deal with the debt ceiling that involv…
I agree. Biden appears far too passive and hesitant to clarify the Administration alternative. He's making Kevin McCarthy look like a firm leader--on the model of say, Attila the Hun: Surrender or Die!
But there is a downside to any plan by the Biden Administration to deal with the debt ceiling that involves the Fourteenth Amendment. Any argument for unilaterally ignoring the debt ceiling that specifies a provision of the Constitution will come up before a hostile Supreme Court. And will become presumptive precedent in a formerly unprecedented situation. That's very bad for the future of the country.
I think that there is a better argument that shows real leadership: invoke the President's oath of office and the separation of powers. The President can argue that it is Congress's job to tax and spend, not his. And it's their job to send him a bill that he can sign. If they don't do that, then his oath of office to preserve and protect the Constitution requires him to keep the government running willy-nilly.
The President acknowledges that he can't set new levels of taxation or spending without Congressional approval. But, absent Congressional action, he must use his judgment to continue the status quo. Most importantly, it's not in the Supreme Court's power to shut down the government or to set new levels of spending.
President Biden knows that a majority of the American people don't want the country to default. He should be confident in expressing his conviction of the limited, but in this case powerful, duty imposed by his oath of office. And if the Supreme Court says otherwise, Biden needs to firmly remind them of their place in the system of separation of powers. In this case, it's his call to make. Alone. Because he's the elected leader...
Okay, "passive" is too harsh. But here is Biden in his own words (by Susan Glasser in The New Yorker):
"Biden’s comments on this subject have been a bit delphic. At a G7 summit in Japan over the weekend, he was asked what assurances he had offered America’s allies that the United States wouldn’t default on its debts. He said he couldn’t guarantee that the Republicans wouldn’t force a default by “doing something outrageous,” and added, “I’m looking at the Fourteenth Amendment, as to whether or not we have the authority. I think we have the authority. The question is: could it be done and invoked in time? . . . That’s a question that I think is unresolved.”
So, "delphic."
Look, I agree with what you say. It is Republicans' fault. Everyone reading this blog, presumably agrees. But blame--even if correctly directed--is not a plan of action.
Re Joe Biden and the Debt Ceiling
I agree. Biden appears far too passive and hesitant to clarify the Administration alternative. He's making Kevin McCarthy look like a firm leader--on the model of say, Attila the Hun: Surrender or Die!
But there is a downside to any plan by the Biden Administration to deal with the debt ceiling that involves the Fourteenth Amendment. Any argument for unilaterally ignoring the debt ceiling that specifies a provision of the Constitution will come up before a hostile Supreme Court. And will become presumptive precedent in a formerly unprecedented situation. That's very bad for the future of the country.
I think that there is a better argument that shows real leadership: invoke the President's oath of office and the separation of powers. The President can argue that it is Congress's job to tax and spend, not his. And it's their job to send him a bill that he can sign. If they don't do that, then his oath of office to preserve and protect the Constitution requires him to keep the government running willy-nilly.
The President acknowledges that he can't set new levels of taxation or spending without Congressional approval. But, absent Congressional action, he must use his judgment to continue the status quo. Most importantly, it's not in the Supreme Court's power to shut down the government or to set new levels of spending.
President Biden knows that a majority of the American people don't want the country to default. He should be confident in expressing his conviction of the limited, but in this case powerful, duty imposed by his oath of office. And if the Supreme Court says otherwise, Biden needs to firmly remind them of their place in the system of separation of powers. In this case, it's his call to make. Alone. Because he's the elected leader...
Okay, "passive" is too harsh. But here is Biden in his own words (by Susan Glasser in The New Yorker):
"Biden’s comments on this subject have been a bit delphic. At a G7 summit in Japan over the weekend, he was asked what assurances he had offered America’s allies that the United States wouldn’t default on its debts. He said he couldn’t guarantee that the Republicans wouldn’t force a default by “doing something outrageous,” and added, “I’m looking at the Fourteenth Amendment, as to whether or not we have the authority. I think we have the authority. The question is: could it be done and invoked in time? . . . That’s a question that I think is unresolved.”
So, "delphic."
Look, I agree with what you say. It is Republicans' fault. Everyone reading this blog, presumably agrees. But blame--even if correctly directed--is not a plan of action.