Dr. Benishek Supports "No Budget, No Pay' Legislation

Press Release

Congressman Dan Benishek (MI-01) today cosponsored H.R. 3643, a bill that will prohibit Members of Congress from receiving paychecks in any year that a federal budget is not enacted.

"This bipartisan legislation is a simple measure aimed at getting Washington to work again. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to outline how it will spend precious taxpayer dollars. This is the job the American people elect their representatives to do and if they cannot get the job done they shouldn't get paid," said Benishek, a general surgeon from Iron River.

Benishek stated the legislation will prevent any Member of Congress from being paid if both houses of Congress have not approved a budget resolution and all regular appropriations bills before October 1st of the fiscal year. The bill would also prohibit any retroactive pay to Members after the adoption of a budget.

"Regrettably, history has shown both parties in Congress have been bad managers of America's money. Congress has passed spending bills on time only four times in the last 60 years. The Senate has not even proposed a budget in over 1,000 days. The American people deserve better than this, and I believe this bill would ensure the people's business gets done," added Benishek.

The legislation has received bipartisan endorsements and is supported by NoLabels.org, a non-partisan organization that is focused on enacting bipartisan agreements and making Congress function better.

H.R. 3643 was authored in the House by Rep. Cooper (D-TN) and currently has 19 bipartisan cosponsors. A companion bill, S.1981, was introduced by Senator Dean Heller of Nevada and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Source