Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) has introduced the Government Shutdown Fairness Act (H.R. 3160). This legislation would stop members of Congress from receiving a salary in the event of a government shutdown.
“As members of Congress, it is our job to keep the government running, and if the government shuts down, I don’t believe we should collect a salary during that time,” Congressman Collins said. “It is wrong that members of Congress should continue to get paid while programs for veterans, seniors and many others are adversely impacted.”
This type of legislation has proven effective in the past. Earlier this year, the House passed the No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013 (H.R. 325), which said members of Congress would not be paid unless they passed a budget. Following the passage of No Budget, No Pay, the Senate adopted a budget resolution for the first time in four years.
The Government Shutdown Fairness Act is consistent with the 27th Amendment in holding salaries in escrow until the end of this Congress.
“Salary and job performance should be tied together, and if members of Congress aren’t doing their job, that should be reflected in their salary. The American people deserve more from their Congress and it is time, as members of Congress, that we put ourselves at the back of the line and put our constituents first in a government shutdown,” said Congressman Collins.
Good for him! If (as one
Good for him! If (as one item I've read online - and we all know how accurate everything is on the intertubes - the military will be paid by IOUs during shut down, then the same should happen to those who failed to act to keep government up and running.
Congress and Executive.
Government shut
Government shut down........
Question:
How the hell are we supposed to know the difference?
Richard: Government
Richard: Government Shutdown...........You say it like it's a bad thing
Just a little tidbit, since
Just a little tidbit, since 1980 the government has been shutdown for short periods 12 times. 4 times since 2000. We always survive, and usually good things come from it. However, in the scheme of things, it seems the Republicans are always perceived as evil or ignorant when the are the hold up, and the democrats are always perceived as heros for doing it. Oddly enough, for both sides, it is simply another political tool to use as a bargaining chip
The fact is neither are hero's or idiots, they are just politicians (Although to some that would make them all idiots). the world keeps turning, the economy does not roll to a stop a deal is always struck and although government employees are inconvenienced for a period, they are always paid in the end.
For those that want to blame one side or the other, well you are wrong, it is not only both parties in congress responsible, but the Executive branch even more so because it is supposed to lead, not just sit back and criticize.
All the more reason to keep most government as local as possible, because as long as the Federal Government is so large, this will keep happening over and over and we will still be paying more in the end.
Collins needs to do more than
Collins needs to do more than stop Congress, Senate, and Presidential pay. They should take a pay cut, $175K should be the limit (Especially since, they nickel and dime us with some of their expenses), forfeiture of retirement except those with 20 years or more and at 50% of their base pay, with no medical. There needs to be term limits (5- two year terms) for Congress and Senate. New faces means fresh and updated ideas. Would keep special interest in check too(somewhat).