The Congressional Black Caucus is urging President Obama to invoke the 14th Amendment affirming the validity of the national debt as a means to bypass Congress. In his speech on the Senate floor, Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders also backed the 14th Amendment proposal.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: “The Constitution is very clear in saying that the debts of the United States, quote-unquote, 'shall not be questioned.' The president swears an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, and many constitutional scholars believe that the 14th Amendment gives the president the authority and responsibility to pay our debts regardless of the dysfunctionality of the U.S. Congress.”