Pelosi on the Debt Limit: Obama Has the Power!

Nancy Pelosi wants you to think debating the debt limit is dumb. From what she knows of the Constitution, Obama can raise the debt limit on his own (click for video):

Last year, Pelosi tried the same idea, but couldn’t remember which Amendment gave Obama that power:

“Well, me, I’m with the 11th Amendment, is it the 11th Amendment that – 14th is it? Whatever it is, I’m with the Constitution of the United States.”

Here’s Section 4 of the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868:

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.

Public debt has to be authorized by law, and only Congress can pass laws. Not complicated. But, apparently, too complicated for Pelosi.

It’s worth remembering what Obama said in 2006 about raising the debt limit when a Republican was President:

“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government can’t pay its own bills. … I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.”

Was Pelosi talking about the 14th Amendment then? Nope.

 

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