[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 15, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

           By Mr. STUTZMAN:
       H.R. 728.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to 
     Congress under Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United 
     States Constitution.
       Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United States 
     Constitution bestows upon Congress the authority ``to pay the 
     Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare 
     of the United States.''
       Congress is within its constitutionally prescribed role to 
     direct payment of the nation's obligations. The ability to 
     prioritize existing expenditures is subsumed under the 
     authority to pay debts.