Biden flirts with 14th Amendment as pressure mounts from right and left in debt talks

Mr. Biden told reporters at a G7 meeting in Japan his administration was exploring whether it could invoke the 14th Amendment as debt limit negotiations with House Republicans sour.

Some legal scholars say the 14th Amendment is broader in scope and gives the president authority to scrap the debt limit altogether and keep paying the nation’s bills without Congress setting a debt ceiling. Given the uncertainty, Mr. Biden said he preferred to make a deal with House Republicans to raise the debt ceiling.

“The Congressional Black Caucus has no intention of allowing families to go hungry to appease Republicans,” said Rep. Steven Horsford, Nevada Democrat. “It’s a recipe for expanding racial and gender disparities, which seems to be their modus operandi.” Talk of using the 14th Amendment comes as negotiations between Mr. McCarthy’s staff and the White House are at a standstill.

House Republicans instead want to boost spending for defense, border security, and veterans benefits. GOP lawmakers say spending cuts should be focused on welfare programs and “woke bureaucracy.” The legislation would cut spending by $4.8 trillion while capping spending growth at 1% over the next decade. It would also cancel Mr. Biden‘s student loan forgiveness program, rescind green energy tax credits, and expand work requirements on food stamps, Medicaid, and cash payments.

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