U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, says senators shouldn’t get paid unless they do their jobs. The Republican-led House of Rep-resenta-tives plans to vote today on the so-called “no budget, no pay” rule, which would withhold the salaries of federal representatives if their chamber fails to pass a budget bill on time.
“What we’re trying to do is ... force the Senate to do what is required by law, what is required (of) every household in America to meet their operating expenses on a day-to-day basis: and that’s to put (their budget) in black and white,” Reed said.
The rule wouldn’t require both houses to approve a bill and have it signed by the president; only that each house passes their own version.
The Senate hasn’t passed a budget in nearly four years.
The “no budget, no pay” rule would be attached to a bill extending the debt ceiling until May 19 ― putting off another debt standoff for a few months.
However, some say there’s a big obstacle in the way of “no budget, no pay” ― the constitution.
The 27th amendment, ratified in 1992, states: “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.”
In effect, the amendment states that congressional pay rates can only be changed after an election, when a new Congress convenes.
The intent was to prevent representatives from raising their own pay while in office. But it appears to prevent cutting pay as well.
Reed says that won’t be a problem.
“We’ve looked at the 27th amendment, and the final version of the bill, I am confident, will be constitutional.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, says senators shouldn’t get paid unless they do their jobs. The Republican-led House of Rep-resenta-tives plans to vote today on the so-called “no budget, no pay” rule, which would withhold the salaries of federal representatives if their chamber fails to pass a budget bill on time.
“What we’re trying to do is ... force the Senate to do what is required by law, what is required (of) every household in America to meet their operating expenses on a day-to-day basis: and that’s to put (their budget) in black and white,” Reed said.
The rule wouldn’t require both houses to approve a bill and have it signed by the president; only that each house passes their own version.
The Senate hasn’t passed a budget in nearly four years.
The “no budget, no pay” rule would be attached to a bill extending the debt ceiling until May 19 ― putting off another debt standoff for a few months.
However, some say there’s a big obstacle in the way of “no budget, no pay” ― the constitution.
The 27th amendment, ratified in 1992, states: “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.”
In effect, the amendment states that congressional pay rates can only be changed after an election, when a new Congress convenes.
The intent was to prevent representatives from raising their own pay while in office. But it appears to prevent cutting pay as well.
Reed says that won’t be a problem.
“We’ve looked at the 27th amendment, and the final version of the bill, I am confident, will be constitutional.”
