Senators Mike Braun, Joe Manchin, and Rick Scott have reintroduced the No Budget, No Pay Act, joined by Senators John Barrasso, Richard Burr, Shelley Moore Capito, Joni Ernst, Maggie Hassan, and Kyrsten Sinema.
No Budget No Pay requires Members of Congress to pass the annual budget resolutions and all appropriations bills by the start of the fiscal year, Oct. 1, otherwise Members will not be paid, with retroactive pay prohibited.
Braun
“Every business and family makes a budget, but Congress doesn’t,” Sen. Braun said. “If your representatives refuse to do a basic part of their job like passing a budget resolution and appropriations bills in time, we shouldn’t get paid. That’s why I’m reintroducing the No Budget, No Pay Act, to hold D.C. accountable for the budget dysfunction that’s put us on a collision course with fiscal disaster.”
“Now more than ever, Congress must return to regular order and commit to solving the serious problems facing our nation,” Sen. Manchin said. “That includes passing a budget and avoiding unnecessary government shutdowns that impact federal workers paychecks, but don’t affect Members of Congress’ paychecks. If any other business or place of work failed to make a budget, they would face serious consequences. Why should Congress be any different? I’m proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in reintroducing this legislation which would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay if they fail to pass a budget resolution and the 12 annual appropriations bills before the start of the fiscal year. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this commonsense legislation and be the leaders the American people deserve.”
“There is no reason members of Congress should be held to a different standard than any other American family or business,” Sen. Scott said. “In the real world, if you don’t do your job, you don’t get paid. Our No Budget, No Pay bill simply requires Congress to pass an annual budget and meet appropriations bill deadlines, or forgo their taxpayer-funded salaries until the job is done. Accountability shouldn’t be controversial.”
“If Congress can’t do our work and pass a budget, we shouldn’t get paid – it’s that simple,” Sen. Hassan said. “As New Hampshire Governor, I worked across party lines to pass fiscally responsible budgets, and we have a responsibility to get the job done in Congress too.”
“In Iowa – and in most places across the country – if folks don’t do their job, they don’t get paid,” Sen. Ernst said. “Part of Congress’ job every year is to pass a budget on time, but despite being nearly $30 trillion in debt, it almost never happens. This bipartisan bill will help hold Congress accountable and make sure Washington politicians actually do their jobs.”
“Families and small businesses across West Virginia have to balance their budgets, and Congress shouldn’t be any different,” Sen. Capito said. “I am proud to be on the committee that writes these appropriations bills and it is our goal and intent to get them done, under regular order, every year.”
“Until a responsible budget is passed, Congress and the Biden administration will continue to spend money we don’t have,” Sen. Barrasso said. “The bipartisan No Budget, No Pay Act will stop lawmakers in Washington from getting paid if a budget is not passed. This will give Congress additional incentive to follow Wyoming’s lead and pass a budget that cuts wasteful spending and gives certainty to job creators.”
Click here to read the full text of the bill.