Robert Reich, a former U.S. secretary of labor, has called on President Biden to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally, bypassing Congress, as the GOP negotiates tax cuts that could affect vulnerable sectors such as healthcare, education, and veterans’ benefits. Reich believes that using the debt ceiling as political leverage could derail the U.S. economy. To support his call, Reich cites the 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution that recognizes the validity of the public debt of the country and prohibits Congress from questioning it. Reich argues that Biden's oath of office and his commitment to the welfare of the country should take precedence over the debt ceiling law. Other economists, including Peter Schiff, have warned that the U.S. could default on its debt. Talks in Congress to address the issue have stalled, causing concern about a possible default. Although Congress has the legal power to borrow money, it does not have the power to default on such debts, making Reich's proposal constitutionally valid, according to him. Reich’s proposal has sparked controversy and prompted comments on social media.
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