Southerland Votes to Tie Debt Limit Certainty to Budget Approval

Statement

Representative Steve Southerland, II applauded House approval today of a short term debt ceiling increase predicated on both houses of Congress passing a constitutionally-mandated budget. The bipartisan legislation, which passed the House by a 285-144 margin, includes a No Budget, No Pay provision withholding members' paychecks in the event that the House or Senate fails to pass a budget for the next fiscal year.

"At a time when Washington can't seem to agree on much of anything, today's overwhelmingly bipartisan vote marks an important first step in correcting the course of Congress and signals a renewed commitment to fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget," said Southerland. "The House has acted decisively to extend economic certainty while putting congressional paychecks on hold if we fail to pass a budget. It is my hope that Senate Democrats will act quickly to pass their first budget in four years, injecting a dose of common sense accountability in Washington that the American people deserve."

The House debt ceiling plan now awaits further action by the Democrat-controlled Senate.

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