Context
In a surprising move, Republicans have offered President Obama a new authority to increase the government’s debt limit, as a last option to prevent the likelihood of the US defaulting on its debt. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday submitted a proposal that would allow the president to ask for an increase in the debt limit of 2.5 trillion dollars. McConnell’s recommendation came as Obama warned that a debt default might delay disability and welfare payments next month.
