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Argument: Deadlocked Congress foregoes power to raise debt ceiling

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Eric Posner and Adrian Vermeule. “Obama Should Raise the Debt Ceiling on His Own.” New York Times. July 22nd, 2011: “A deadlocked Congress has become incapable of acting consistently; it commits to entitlements it will not reduce, appropriates funds it does not have, borrows money it cannot repay and then imposes a debt ceiling it will not raise. One of those things must give; in reality, that means that the conflicting laws will have to be reconciled by the only actor who combines the power to act with a willingness to shoulder responsibility — the president.”

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, made a plea on the Senate floor Saturday, July 30th, for President Obama to invoke the 14th Amendment: “If the Congress through inaction, through inaction or action, tries to destroy or alter those obligations I believe it is incumbent on the chief executive to exercise his authority to make sure the full faith and credit of the United States is not jeopardized. The president should use his authority to do so.”[1]