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2022 represents the 26th consecutive year in which Congress has not fulfilled its duty of appropriating a budget by the end of the fiscal year on September 30th. In addition, this will be the fifth year in a row in which not a single funding bill has been signed into law by the start of the fiscal year on October 1st. Congress has enacted continuing resolutions in 43 of the last 46 fiscal years.

 

Continuing resolutions disrupt the efficiency of nearly every federal agency. Without any accountability, Congress has continued to use continuing resolutions to procrastinate fulfilling a main function of government. Further, continuing resolutions are often exploited to change existing regulations or redirect funds for new projects.

 

The No Pay for Congressional Recklessness (CR) Act would withhold Member pay while a continuing resolution is in effect during the current 117th Congress. During future terms of Congress, member pay will be deducted by one percent each day a continuing resolution is in effect. It is the intent of the bill to encourage congressional leadership to pass a reasonable budget on time.

 

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) are original co-sponsors of this bill.

 

 

Rep. Norman issued the following statement on Thursday: “There is no job that will pay an employee for not doing the work. Congress should be no different. Congress should not use a continuing resolution as an excuse to add to their already excessive spending problem. It is far past time for Congress to make meaningful reforms to the budget process that encourage real, timely budgeting instead of waiting until the last minute to kick the can down the road again and again."