Bipartisan Legislation Seeks to Hold Congress Accountable for Passing Budget

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Bill Huizenga and Scott Peters have introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act, a bipartisan legislation that aims to prevent Congress from being paid unless it passes a budget and all 12 appropriations bills on time. This move comes as the federal government is currently shut down, and Congress has only passed a budget resolution and all accompanying spending bills on time once since the last major overhaul of federal budgeting and spending laws in 1974. The legislation seeks to impose real-world consequences on Congress for its failure to fulfill its basic duty to pass a budget.

Key Takeaways:

  • The No Budget, No Pay Act is a bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga and Scott Peters to prevent Congress from being paid unless it passes a budget and all 12 appropriations bills on time.
  • Since the last major overhaul of federal budgeting and spending laws in 1974, Congress has only passed a budget resolution and all accompanying spending bills on time once.
  • The legislation aims to impose real-world consequences on Congress for its failure to fulfill its basic duty to pass a budget, mirroring the consequences faced by Americans during a government shutdown.
  • Congressman Peters is donating his take-home salary to local nonprofits working to support San Diegans who are suffering because of the shutdown each week for the duration of the shutdown.
  • The No Budget, No Pay Act is a much-needed enforcement mechanism to ensure that Congress is doing its job and passing the federal budget on time, something that has not occurred since 1996.
  • The legislation is paired with the bipartisan Fiscal Commission Act, which could help the country make significant strides towards a budget process that is on time and on target to close the deficit.

Statistics:

  • Since 1974, Congress has only passed a budget resolution and all accompanying spending bills on time once.
  • The government shutdown has forced countless Americans to endure the consequences, including Congressman Peters, who is donating his take-home salary to local nonprofits.
  • The No Budget, No Pay Act has received bipartisan support, with Congressmen Huizenga and Peters leading the effort.
  • The legislation aims to prevent Congress from receiving back pay unless they pass a budget and all 12 appropriations bills on time.

Sources:

  • [Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga's office]
  • [Rep. Scott Peters' office]
  • [Third Way, Zach Moller]
  • [Concord Coalition, Carolyn Bordeaux]
  • [House of Representatives, Congressman Bill Huizenga's request to withhold pay]