No Budget. No Pay.

[flyboy56]

In the real world there are serious consequences for failing to meet a deadline. The Democrat-controlled Senate has failed to pass a budget in more than two years, which is the primary function for which they have been hired by the American people. It is time for the American people to demand that Congress do its job, and do it on time!
The bi-partisan No Budget, No Pay Act would bring serious accountability to members of Congress by cutting off their pay if they fail to meet their October budget deadline. The bill also ensures that Congress does not have the ability to retroactively award themselves pay lost for failing to perform their most basic constitutional function.

This simple bill is currently being considered in both bodies of Congress.

http://act.theteaparty.net/6387/no-budget-no-pay/

[flyboy56]

The article was written back in March. The House Republicans are getting ready to vote on this. How can anyone disagree with this considering how a vast majority of Americans believe our congressmen and women are not getting the job done.

[Terry K]

The article was written back in March. The House Republicans are getting ready to vote on this. How can anyone disagree with this considering how a vast majority of Americans believe our congressmen and women are not getting the job done.

Perhaps a similar provision should be added for the President, to insure that the budget is prepared in a timely fashion>

[flyboy56]

Perhaps a similar provision should be added for the President, to insure that the budget is prepared in a timely fashion>

Absolutely, he is the Boss. It's a lack of leadership.

[slapshot]

In the real world there are serious consequences for failing to meet a deadline. The Democrat-controlled Senate has failed to pass a budget in more than two years, which is the primary function for which they have been hired by the American people. It is time for the American people to demand that Congress do its job, and do it on time!
The bi-partisan No Budget, No Pay Act would bring serious accountability to members of Congress by cutting off their pay if they fail to meet their October budget deadline. The bill also ensures that Congress does not have the ability to retroactively award themselves pay lost for failing to perform their most basic constitutional function.

This simple bill is currently being considered in both bodies of Congress.

http://act.theteaparty.net/6387/no-budget-no-pay/

I will simply say that this is one Independent voter who is disgusted with Congress (collective) for not doing anything.

Why do we pay them, that's what I want to know?

[dogstarman]

Wait.... are you kidding?

The vast majority of congressmen are already independently wealthy. Their salaries might seem like a lot to ordinary people, but it really is peanuts compared to their wealth. Much like corporate board members often get paid multiples of 100K, but to them its just a token amount. House members, I think, are paid 170K. Given that their average net worth is north of 5M, I don't think that holding off a few weeks on their paycheck is going to be "motivational."

If you really want their attention, start campaigning and opponent for the next primary.

[flyboy56]

Wait.... are you kidding?

The vast majority of congressmen are already independently wealthy. Their salaries might seem like a lot to ordinary people, but it really is peanuts compared to their wealth. Much like corporate board members often get paid multiples of 100K, but to them its just a token amount. House members, I think, are paid 170K. Given that their average net worth is north of 5M, I don't think that holding off a few weeks on their paycheck is going to be "motivational."

If you really want their attention, start campaigning and opponent for the next primary.

Redistricting takes the oompf out of that recourse.

[Wizard777]

In the real world there are serious consequences for failing to meet a deadline. The Democrat-controlled Senate has failed to pass a budget in more than two years, which is the primary function for which they have been hired by the American people. It is time for the American people to demand that Congress do its job, and do it on time!
The bi-partisan No Budget, No Pay Act would bring serious accountability to members of Congress by cutting off their pay if they fail to meet their October budget deadline. The bill also ensures that Congress does not have the ability to retroactively award themselves pay lost for failing to perform their most basic constitutional function.

This simple bill is currently being considered in both bodies of Congress.

http://act.theteaparty.net/6387/no-budget-no-pay/

There are two cosntitutional problems with that. The first is that the Constitution does not require a budget. It only requires that spending be done by appropriations bills. The second is that the Constitution prohibits their pay from being reduced.

[flyboy56]

"Article I set up a federal budget controlled by the Legislature"

http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/h...visited_34.pdf

[Wizard777]

"Article I set up a federal budget controlled by the Legislature"

http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/h...visited_34.pdf

I'll give them a C. What they are refering to as Congresses "budgetary authority" is actually Congresses Tax and Spend Authority. The US Constitution does not require a budget. It only requires that spending be done by appropriations bills and revenue be raised through taxes.

[Creekman]

How many days have Congress worked in the last few months and how many work days are now on their schedule? Damn few!

[OldBay]

Wait.... are you kidding?

The vast majority of congressmen are already independently wealthy. Their salaries might seem like a lot to ordinary people, but it really is peanuts compared to their wealth. Much like corporate board members often get paid multiples of 100K, but to them its just a token amount. House members, I think, are paid 170K. Given that their average net worth is north of 5M, I don't think that holding off a few weeks on their paycheck is going to be "motivational."

If you really want their attention, start campaigning and opponent for the next primary.

Being forced to live off the proceeds from insider trading and lobbyist largess - oh, the horrors!

[flyboy56]

I'll give them a C. What they are refering to as Congresses "budgetary authority" is actually Congresses Tax and Spend Authority. The US Constitution does not require a budget. It only requires that spending be done by appropriations bills and revenue be raised through taxes.

Article 1, Section 8, clause 1

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States

[jtowne-swim]

The article was written back in March. The House Republicans are getting ready to vote on this. How can anyone disagree with this considering how a vast majority of Americans believe our congressmen and women are not getting the job done.

Because it would be unconstitutional as written. Congress can only alter the rules on pay for the next congress.

[flyboy56]

Because it would be unconstitutional as written. Congress can only alter the rules on pay for the next congress.

Maybe that is what they are planning. No budget this year means no pay this year means no pay for the new 2014 congress.

[Creekman]

How about no work no pay?

So let's cut their pay yesterday!

[jtowne-swim]

Maybe that is what they are planning. No budget this year means no pay this year means no pay for the new 2014 congress.

The only way it would work is if no budget this year means no pay for congress in 2015. There must be an election before it takes effect.

[Wizard777]

Article 1, Section 8, clause 1

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States

That's what's called the Tax & Spend clause. No where in the Constiution is the word "budget" used.