[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H4945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

           By Mr. KING of Iowa:
       H.R. 2496.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 states that ``The Congress 
     shall have the Power . . . to pay the Debts and provide for 
     the common Defence and general Welfare of the United 
     States.''
       In addition, Article I, Section 8, Clauses 12 and 13 states 
     that Congress shall have power ``To raise and support 
     Armies'' and ``To provide and maintain a Navy.''
       Together, these provisions establish the congressional 
     power of the purse, granting Congress the authority to 
     appropriate funds to ensure that U.S. service members will 
     not lose pay due to a funding gap, as well as the power to 
     prioritize the payment of debts.