Rep. Burchett introduces Do Your Job Act to cut Members' pay when Congress fails to pass a budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 25, 2019) – Congressman Tim Burchett this week introduced the Do Your Job Act, H.R. 3440, a bill that would cut pay for House and Senate members each year that Congress fails to pass a budget.

"There's been a lot of discussion around pay increases for Members of Congress, but why not pay cuts? Nothing gets done – on either side – because of partisan games. Congress is required by law to pass a budget, yet we haven't done so in two decades. It's ridiculous," said Rep. Burchett. "If you don't do your job in the private sector you don't get paid. Congress should be held to the same standard."

The bill states that if, by the first day of a fiscal year, both Houses of Congress have not agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget then the annual rate of pay for each Member of Congress shall be equal to 90 percent of their current annual rate. In other words, each Member of Congress's salary would be cut 10 percent each year they can't agree on a budget.

"We have to stop funding the government by continuing resolution and piecemeal omnibus bills. Running the government this way holds the process and the American people hostage to partisan whims. Instead, we need to pass a real budget so we can have a real debate around spending priorities and how we use your hard-earned money," said Rep. Burchett.

If passed, the bill would go into effect after the next regularly scheduled general election, in accordance with the 27th Amendment to the Constitution.

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