The president says he is willing to discuss possible deficit savings, but without the threat of the federal government being unable to pay its bills. With negotiations over the debt ceiling stalling, some lawmakers are pushing President Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment.The measure would cut back an expansion of the IRS and approve permits for a gas pipeline in West Virginia. The debt ceiling is a limit that Congress imposes on the amount that the federal government can owe. The Fourteenth Amendment (Amendment XIV) to the United States Constitution was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments. The treasury secretary warned of possible "calamity" unless Congress acts. Does the president have authority to borrow beyond the statutory debt limit? Below you will find a list of all constitutional amendments that have appeared on the ballot since 1892 in the State of Washington. The debt ceiling is a limit that Congress imposes on the amount that the federal government can owe. The treasury secretary warned of possible "calamity" unless Congress acts.