FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peters Votes For No Budget, No Pay

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) today voted in favor of legislation, HR 325, which adopts a version of ”No Budget, No Pay,” an initiative Peters declared his support for prior to being elected to Congress. HR 325 also raises the nation’s debt ceiling for three months, giving Congress more time to develop a more permanent solution.

In addition, Peters became a sponsor of HR 310, the No Budget No Pay Act which would stop Congressional pay if Congress fails to pass a budget on time. In fact, the No Budget, No Pay Act is the first bill that Peters co-sponsored in the House.

“By passing elements of ’No Budget, No Pay’ today, we took positive steps toward making government work and toward greater government accountability,” Peters said after HR 325 passed the House 285-144.

“While I’d prefer that ‘No Budget, No Pay’ require both the House and the Senate to pass the same budget, not just require each chamber to pass its own budget, this is a step in the right direction,” Peters added. “If Congress can’t do its job and produce a budget, we shouldn’t collect paychecks.”

On raising the debt ceiling for three months, Peters said: “Creating a responsible budget is imperative, but the debt ceiling is the wrong tool to use for leverage, as it creates a needless risk of default and another credit downgrade. This bill is by no means a solution to any of our serious challenges, but it gives us time to create one, and is the best option we have today.”

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