Posted on 01/11/2013 12:54:27 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Reid to Obama: OK to skip Congress on debt ceiling By: Manu Raju and John Bresnahan January 11, 2013 02:47 PM EST
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other top Democrats are putting new pressure on the White House to circumvent Congress to boost the nation’s debt ceiling if no bipartisan agreement can be reached.
In a strongly worded letter to President Barack Obama obtained by POLITICO, Reid and his leadership team argue that failing to raise the $16.4 trillion debt ceiling would threaten the full faith and credit of the United States. Reid and Sens. Dick Durbin, Chuck Schumer and Patty Murray asserted that Obama “must make clear that you will never allow our nation’s economy and reputation to be held hostage.”
“In the event that Republicans make good on their threat by failing to act, or by moving unilaterally to pass a debt limit extension only as part of an unbalanced or unreasonable legislation, we believe you must be willing to take any lawful steps to ensure that America does not break its promises and trigger a global economic crisis — without congressional approval, if necessary,” the Friday letter to Obama says.
The letter amounts to the most concerted push yet by Senate Democratic leaders for the White House to take unprecedented action to raise the debt ceiling given the bitter stalemate in Congress. After the messy debt ceiling fight from 2011, and the protracted fiscal cliff battle that extended until New Year’s Day, Obama has said he will not use the debt ceiling increase as a bargaining chip and will refuse to negotiate with GOP leaders on the issue.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
The Roman Senate is such a perfect match for Emperor Zero.
“In the event that Republicans make good on their threat by failing to act, or by moving unilaterally to pass a debt limit extension only as part of an unbalanced or unreasonable legislation, we believe you must be willing to take any lawful steps to ensure that America does not break its promises and trigger a global economic crisis — without congressional approval, if necessary,”
If zero does actually usurp spending authority, a breech of the Constitution is only one worry. Such an act would undoubtedly be challenged in court and would shake investor confidence. Investors would rightfully be concerned as to the legal status of any bonds issued by the US government after an unconstitutional usurpation.
If no agreement is reached then Congress, if it has the gonads, should authorize spending for servicing the debt, paying Federal employees(military especially), and paying out Social Security. Period. Everything else would have to be negotiated. That would remove the ‘threat’ of government shut down and possibly hold off any credit downgrade. IMHO
Thank you for the post of facts.
For the record, Casey Jr. was the first U.S. Senator to come up with this asinine suggestion just a day or two after he was safely re-elected in November.
IOW, if congress does not rubber stamp what el presidente wants, then el presidente is free to rule by fiat. That makes the president a dictator and congress a privy council. And people like Bob Casey Jr. and Harry Reid become even more useless than they already are.
In what way can the House of Representatives force the President to do anything?
Pretty much only through the power of the purse.
If the President chooses to violate the US Constitution and attempt to use the Treasury Department as his own funding source, then this is not a separation of powers issue. This is a clear violation of the US Constitution.
The SCOTUS must rule; it must enter the fight.
But, even then, what means does the SCOTUS have to enforce their rulings? None.
The US Governmental system assumes everyone wants to uphold the Constitution. What happens when that is not the case, and especially when it’s the executive who is simply going off as a lone ranger emperor?
At that point, the only recourse is for STATES to refuse to comply and for tax-payers to refuse to participate.
In what way can the House of Representatives force the President to do anything?
Pretty much only through the power of the purse.
If the President chooses to violate the US Constitution and attempt to use the Treasury Department as his own funding source, then this is not a separation of powers issue. This is a clear violation of the US Constitution.
The SCOTUS must rule; it must enter the fight.
But, even then, what means does the SCOTUS have to enforce their rulings? None.
The US Governmental system assumes everyone wants to uphold the Constitution. What happens when that is not the case, and especially when it’s the executive who is simply going off as a lone ranger emperor?
At that point, the only recourse if for STATES to refuse to comply and for tax-payers to refuse to participate.
Someone posted on here that it’s too early to start shooting.
I think it’s about time we start.
I bet it would sink in pretty fast if we gave them a few examples of just how powerless they are and who the boss is.
Impeachment is an option.
How about this, we have an impeachment and skip the trial in the Senate Weed, er, Reid.
Impeachment does nothing.
It simply is a recommendation for the Senate to have a “trial”.
A democrat Senate would do nothing.
But, even assuming a republican senate, it would still have to be a super-majority, iirc, to convict.
A long time ago. The 17th was an awful amendment and totally goes against the intent of the framers.
At a minimum, the State Legislators should be able to recall their own Senators.
This is now ... That was "then" (a walk through history) ...
Senator 0bama calls President (although he didn't care to respectfully use the title) Bush 'irresponsible and unpatriotic' for requesting to increase the Nation's debt ceiling.
Impeachment will not result in a conviction, but Obama has broken his oath to protect and defend the Constitution and, in fact, is attempting to subvert it where ever possible. Calling him on the carpet in the House would seriously shift the debate and infuriate the narcissist.
Congress (including and especially house republicans) have abdicated their budgetting duties to The Fed already. Congress has NO CLUE how much funny money the fed has printed up.
Harry doesn’t say anything about circumventing the congress to issue debt.
That’s just POLITICO’s spin.
The administration will have to adjust what, besides debt, it pays for and how much. It’s not ‘regular’ but it’s no big deal.
Harry: Do your job and pass a budget, you weasely little ****.
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