Bera Keeps Pledge to Sacramento County, Introduces Permanent No Budget No Pay Act

Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. introduced the No Budget No Pay Act today which would stop pay for members of Congress if they fail to pass a budget. Bera introduced the bipartisan bill in the U.S. House with Congressmen Jim Cooper (D-TN), Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

"If members of Congress don't do their jobs and pass a responsible budget, then they shouldn't get paid," said Bera. "We need to pass a permanent No Budget No Pay Act and then work together to pass a budget that reduces our debt in a responsible way while also investing in an economy that works for everyone."

In 2012, Bera made a pledge to support No Budget No Pay and it was the first bill he sponsored after he was sworn into Congress. Soon after, Congress passed a one-year version of the law, and both the House and Senate passed a budget in 2013 for the first time in four years. Since then, Bera has been fighting to make the law permanent.

The bill introduced today would prohibit members from receiving pay after missing deadlines for budget and appropriations bills, would not allow for that pay to be recouped retroactively, and would make the law permanent.

Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act in the Senate.

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