Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) has re-introduced the Balanced Budget Accountability Act (S.6), which he noted requires Congress to produce a balanced budget, or members will not get paid.
“Congress is here to serve–not to be served,” Daines said. “If Congress can’t do its job and pass a balanced budget, members shouldn’t get paid. As our national debt soars and inflation continues to hammer Montana families, it’s past time we bring accountability to Washington, and my Balanced Budget Accountability Act will do just that.”
The legislation seeks to reduce a portion of the annual pay of members of Congress for the failure to adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget, which does not provide for a balanced budget.
Daines said the legislation also strengthens accountability while encouraging members of Congress to commit to the annual budget process as required by law and pass budgets that balance within ten years.
If a balanced budget is not passed by April 15, the legal requirement for Congress to have passed a budget, members will see their pay terminated, officials noted.
Daines introduced the bill in the Senate at the beginning of every new Congress since the 114th Congress, in addition to while he served in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 113th Congress.