MESSAGE FROM ROB WITTMAN
Since 1996, the American people have watched Congress repeatedly fail to pass a budget on time, forcing our nation to rely on last-minute, stop-gap measures to keep the government funded. Passing a budget and keeping our government funded is one of the most basic and essential duties of Congress, yet we continue to find ourselves unable to get the job done on time.
The culture in Washington must change. We must get our work done and be held accountable if we don’t. This is why I have continuously reintroduced three bills to restore accountability, transparency, and efficiency in Washington:
- Stay on Schedule (S.O.S.) Resolution: Requires the House to remain in session through August, instead of taking a month-long recess, if all appropriations bills are not passed by the end of July
- No Budget, No Pay Act: Withholds Members’ pay if a budget is not passed by April 15
- Inaction Has Consequences Act: Withholds Members’ pay if all 12 appropriations bills are not passed by the end of the fiscal year
Transparency and accountability are critical to not only getting the budget process under control but also for addressing our nation’s most pressing issues. I will continue to urge my colleagues to uphold their duty to the American people and get our job done on time.