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Bob Morgan's avatar

Here's a speech I'd like to hear President Biden deliver tonight:

"My Fellow Americans,

“As you know, the global economy is perilously close to collapsing due to our national debt limit set by Congress. The failure of the Republican-led House of Representatives to do its job and provide for funding a budget it has previously approved has brought us to this moment. I'm here to assure you that I will do everything in my power to sustain the economic recovery we've achieved over the past two years, and save the global economy from the catastrophic effects that a debt default would bring.

“Some Republicans believe, and have said publicly, that they are willing to crash the global economy in order to stop my Administration from cleaning up the mess left behind by my predecessor. They believe that by destroying our economy, and the rest of the world's with it, they can hang their destructive deeds around my neck. Indeed, my predecessor, who is running against me in 2024, is inexplicably and irresponsibly advocating just that.

“I'm here to tell you I'm not gonna let that happen. Over the past several weeks, I've given Congress every opportunity to do its job. I've even negotiated with the House leadership to try to help them. But it's clear that they have a different agenda, one that does not serve the vast majority of Americans.

“Today I am announcing that I am fulfilling my duty under the Constitution of the United States of America, to which I swore a solemn oath to protect and defend, in committing our government to paying its bills by removing an artificial roadblock known as the debt ceiling. It’s a relic of a bygone era, superseded by the budget and appropriation process.

“In accordance with Section 4 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, I am instructing the US Treasury to provide the necessary funds to pay for existing obligations by incurring additional debt to the extent necessary to do so. This action does not in any way restrict Congress from passing legislation to increase the debt ceiling, but it does render it unnecessary.

“I take this action reluctantly, and with full knowledge that I will be chastised by many and challenged in court by a few. I do so without regard for what it may cost me personally, but understanding what not doing so would cost our country and indeed the world.

“I pledge to work with Congress to responsibly balance the budget so that we can reduce the debt going forward. We can do that through a sensible combination of revenue increases and expense reductions, both of which can be achieved substantially by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. But I will not allow our government to fail the American people, not on my watch.

“May God bless America, and may God protect our troops."

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Kathy Pearlman's avatar

I notice of all the spending cuts that Congress has come up with, no one suggests that they, as millionaires, take a pay cut, or get fewer benefits. Instead, they suggest spending less on Social Security, Medicare, Veteran's benefits, or any other benefits to people who work outside Congress. I wish the President would suggest that they give the rest of us a break.

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