To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.

×
      LATEST NEWSOPINIONCLIMATEECONOMY POLITICS RIGHTS & JUSTICEWAR & PEACE
      LATEST NEWS
      OPINION

      american federation of government employees

      Members and supporters of the American Federation of Government Employees participate in a protest in the Hart Senate Office Building Atrium in Washington, D.C. on February 11, 2020.

      Federal Workers Union Urges Biden to Reject GOP Austerity, Invoke 14th Amendment Over Debt Limit

      "I urge you not to yield to threats but instead to heed the advice of many legal scholars who have concluded that you have the inherent power, and indeed the duty, to avoid a default," wrote AFGE's leader.

      Jessica Corbett
      May 23, 2023

      A union leader representing over 750,000 government employees on Tuesday pressured U.S. President Joe Biden to reject congressional Republicans' demands for spending cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling and to avert an economically devastating default by invoking the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

      As Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has continued to warn that the federal government could run out of money to pay its bills as early as June 1, some legal scholars and progressive lawmakers have encouraged Biden to combat the GOP's economic hostage-taking by invoking the section of the amendment which states that "the validity of the public debt... shall not be questioned."

      Keep ReadingShow Less
      News
      debt ceiling
      SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
      Quality journalism. Progressive values. Direct to your inbox.
      Follow Us
      Most Popular

      House GOP Unveils Budget With Trillions in Cuts to Medicaid, Food Benefits, and More

      'Their Plan Won't Work': UAW Rips GM and Ford for Laying Off Workers Amid Historic Strike

      Auto Giants Refusing Union Demands Paid Just 1% in Federal Taxes on $42 Billion in Profits: Analysis

      'A Watershed Moment': California Sues Big Oil Over Decades of Climate Destruction

      Demanding an End to 'Deadly Fossil Fuels,' Tens of Thousands Take the Streets in NYC

      AOC Says Climate Movement Must Become 'Too Big and Too Radical to Ignore'

      Study Exposes Forest Carbon Credit Schemes to Offset Fossil Fuels as 'Pipe Dream'

      With Alito's Billionaire Patron Holding $90 Million in Finance Firms, Watchdog Demands Recusal From CFPB Case

      'War Is Good for Business,' Declares Executive at London's Global Arms Fair

      Progressives Slam House GOP Push for Social Security 'Death Panel'

      Independent, nonprofit journalism needs your help.
      Please Pitch In
      Today!