Tester bill would prevent congressional pay if government shuts down

Legislation also stops pay for the President

(U.S. SENATE) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement in response to his sponsorship of legislation to prevent members of Congress – and the President of the United States – from getting paid if the U.S. government shuts down:

“Members of Congress don’t deserve a paycheck if they can’t do their job and work together to cut spending and responsibly fund the services folks rely on.  That’s the way it works in Montana and everywhere else in this country.  This is a case of leading by example to make the Senate look more like Montana.  But more importantly, Congress needs to do the responsible work that Americans elected them to do.”

The legislation may be considered by the Senate as early as this evening.

Text of the legislation is available online HERE and appears below.

A BILL to prohibit Members of Congress and the President from receiving pay during Government shutdowns.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON PAY DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

IN GENERAL.—Members of Congress and the President shall not receive basic pay for any period in which—there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution; or the Federal Government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit under section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, has been reached.

RETROACTIVE PAY PROHIBITED.—No pay forfeited in accordance with subsection (a) may be paid retroactively.