DeMaio Unveils "No Budget, No Pay - for Real" Act to Hold Congress Accountable

Press Release

Carl DeMaio today unveiled his "No Budget, No Pay - For Real" Act that would impose tough penalties on Members of Congress when they fail to pass a budget on time. DeMaio also blasted incumbent Congressman Scott Peters for bringing "Enron-style" budget practices to Washington.

"Scott Peters is lying when he claims to have supported No Budget, No Pay because his vote actually let Members of Congress get paid during the government shutdown last year," DeMaio noted. "When it comes to getting the budget done on time, the public is sick of double-talk and no accountability from politicians which is why my proposal would permanently dock the pay of Congress for each day they miss budget deadlines," DeMaio said.

DeMaio's "No Budget, No Pay - For Real" proposal would require the following:

Permanent forfeit of Congressional pay: Not a cent of Congressional pay was deducted despite the fact the Congress missed its budget deadlines and shut the government down. Carl DeMaio proposes to enact a law that permanently docks pay of Congress for each and every day they miss the budget deadline - without any ability for Congress to receive that lost pay.

Require Real Budget Passage on Time: Peters voted to allow Congress to pass a meaningless "resolution" on the budget without actually passing the "real" budget appropriations bills that provide funding for federal departments. DeMaio proposes a law that would require the "real" budget appropriations bills be passed on time - eliminating any need for a government shutdown.

Apply to Political Appointees at White House and Federal Departments: Peters voted to let political appointees in the Executive Branch to receive their pay despite the government shutdown. DeMaio proposes a law that would dock the pay for political appointees (not career civil servants) for every day the President fails to reach agreement with the Congress on the annual budget appropriations bills.

"The record is clear - Congressman Scott Peters has been selling snake oil, while I'm offering a real tangible solution to impose budget accountability," DeMaio concluded.

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