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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Politics / Money Yeah, I'm Sure All Those Millionaires in Congress Are Quaking at That "No Budget, No Pay" Provision

Posted by Goldy on Tue, Jan 29, 2013 at 9:12 AM

The Seattle Times editorial board, which loves to rail against budget "gimmicks" that stave off deeper cuts to social services, has finally found a gimmick they like:

Last week, the House adopted a plan to increase the debt limit for three months. HR 325 also requires both chambers to set a budget by April 15 or its members will not get paid.

The measure had bipartisan support — 43 percent of Democrats voted for it, including all three new Democratic members of Washington’s congressional delegation, Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer and Denny Heck. Also voting yes were Washington’s GOP Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Doc Hastings and Dave Reichert.

Sure, the “no budget, no pay” provision is a gimmick.

But what else can be done?

First, heretical as it may sound, I'd just like to point out that the federal budget is a completely bullshit document. Many appropriations are made off-budget, including much of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and emergency appropriations for disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. The federal budget is a guide at best—what truly matters are the individual appropriations bill, and they violate the budget all the time. Hell, Congress didn't even start passing budgets until 1921, and had no formal process for writing them until 1974. So yeah, compared to tax bills, appropriations bills, and debt ceilings, there's nothing all that meaningful about the budget.

With that out of the way... um... what exactly is all that useful about a gimmick that only impacts the few remaining middle-class members of Congress? Do you really think multimillionaires like Suzan DelBene and Denny Heck could give a shit about whether they get paid? Dave Reichert might, but I'd wager that he's not exactly living paycheck to paycheck at moment.

So yeah, this no-budget-no-pay gimmick is just that: A gimmick. And only the gullible would lend it any credence.

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Comments (14) RSS

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So you know that the pay is simply placed in escrow until the end of the session right?

Posted by chadshue on January 29, 2013 at 9:27 AM

Considering that they keep giving themselves raises, apparently they do give a shit about their pay. 'cause you know.. They, uhh, "deserve" it. All that vacation time and sitting around getting nothing done is very taxing you know.

Posted by randoma on January 29, 2013 at 9:40 AM

Are you expecting people to pay attention to you after that Brazil-nightclub-death post?

Posted by Confluence on January 29, 2013 at 9:58 AM

since they can't raise their own pay I doubt if they can impound it either.
27th amendment:

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

Posted by auntie jim on January 29, 2013 at 10:26 AM

This is proof they think we're fools.

Posted by Pope Peabrain on January 29, 2013 at 10:28 AM

Oh and it violates that Constitution thingy:

"No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened." -- 27th Amendment.

You'd think those House Republicans would have remembered this part because it would have been the last thing they read when the read out the Constitution on the House floor.

Posted by roddy

on January 29, 2013 at 10:29 AM

Did the 27th Amendment get repealed when no one was looking?

Posted by cgarret on January 29, 2013 at 10:35 AM

This proves once again that the Republican Party is indeed the Party of Stupid . And that they think the rest of us are stupid too.

Posted by ruthw on January 29, 2013 at 10:39 AM

How can you say the federal budget is completely bullshit? It codifies the Senate's priorities for the upcoming year and gives everyone a starting place for debating those priorities.

That's like saying the debt ceiling is bullshit... It forces political hands when no one wants to bid first.

Posted by six shooter on January 29, 2013 at 10:42 AM

Time to double down on Stupid.

Cause that's what they do.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on January 29, 2013 at 11:20 AM

Now... If instead, they had put in a threat to furlough their staff, that might have some effect!

Can you picture Congress and the Senate having to do the work themselves, without their various minions and underlings? If that impending chaos wouldn't scare them into action, I don't know what would.

Posted by Brooklyn Reader on January 29, 2013 at 12:01 PM

The no pay is a gimmick and it puts pressure only on the very few congresspeople who aren't independently wealthy. Since it will be held in escrow and be available at the end of the term regardless of any legislation they could even borrow against if they really needed the cash.

Wouldn't a much better idea be an instant term limit? If congress is unable to function and produce a workable budget then ALL must resign and we start over with a new bunch of politicians.

.... somehow I don't think that one will fly.

Posted by kmq1 on January 29, 2013 at 12:45 PM

....and, Goldy, you are very right about the budget. Appropriations occur throughout the budget cycle. Constitutionally congress can authorize spending and cuts any time they desire. I was just trying to match gimmick for gimmick.

Posted by kmq1 on January 29, 2013 at 12:50 PM

But it'll be entertaining to watch that Duffy idiot whine about how hard it is to live on $170K per year, and how he won't be able to feed his children if he loses any pay.

Posted by StuckInUtah on January 29, 2013 at 6:59 PM