Rokita Statement on "No Budget, No Pay' Proposal

Statement

U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita, a member of the House Budget Committee, today announced his support of a plan to force the U.S. Senate to pass a budget, as required by law, before the House considers a long-term increase in the debt ceiling. The plan includes a bipartisan "no budget, no pay" proposal to withhold Senators' salaries if the Senate once again fails to pass a budget.

"Each year on the House Budget Committee, we work hard to pass a responsible budget that cuts spending and promotes economic growth. Unfortunately, the United States Senate has repeatedly refused to do the same. Hoosier families know how to manage their finances and to follow the law, and the U.S. Senate should be held to no less of a standard.

"Before we even talk about a long-term debt ceiling increase, we need to see a credible plan from the Senate for dealing with our spending crisis. It would be immoral and indefensible for us to raise the debt limit without passing a responsible budget, when we know exactly how dangerous our long-term fiscal direction is," said Rokita.

Rokita was a cosponsor of last year's "No Budget, No Pay" bill, H.R. 3643, which similarly would withhold pay from Members of Congress after October 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress does not approve a concurrent budget resolution and pass the regular appropriations bills.

Under the 1974 Congressional Budget Act, Congress must pass a budget resolution each year by April 15. While the House has met its obligations each year, the Senate has refused to pass a budget for 1,360 days.

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