Daines: If Members of Congress Can’t Balance the Budget, They Shouldn’t Get Paid

• January 9, 2025

U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today re-introduced the "Balanced Budget Accountability Act," which holds members of Congress accountable to balance the federal budget or not get paid. This legislation is the first bill Daines introduces each Congress and would help address the nation's spiraling debt crisis.

"Under Biden's administration the national debt soared and inflation hammered Montana families. As we enter a new Congress with a Republican majority in the Senate and get our economy back on track, it's past time we bring fiscal sanity back to Washington. If Congress can't do its job and pass a balanced budget, members shouldn't get paid," said Daines.

Read the bill HERE.

Background:

The "Balanced Budget Accountability Act" strengthens accountability in Washington and encourages members of Congress to commit to the annual budget process as required by law and pass budgets that balance within ten years. When Daines first introduced this bill in 2013, the national debt was $16.7 trillion, and now it has soared to over $36 trillion.

If a balanced budget is not passed by April 15-the legal requirement for Congress to have passed a budget-members will see their pay terminated.

Daines has introduced this bill at the beginning of every new Congress since 2013.

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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Rachel Dumke