My Letter to my Senators Concerning the No Budget, No Pay Act

Dear Senator Chambliss,
Dear Senator Isakson,

Deciding how much money the government takes in and how much it spends is the most fundamental responsibility of Congress. To do this job responsibly, you need a budget and framework to determine spending. But only four times in the past 60 years has Congress passed a concurrent budget resolution and all spending bills necessary to fund the government on time.

When Congress can't even meet the simple deadlines it sets for itself, it destroys the American people's trust in the institution.

I agree with Senator Dean Heller, the Senate should have a vote on the No Budget, No Pay Act (S. 1981) during consideration of the various FY2013 budget resolutions this week on the Senate floor. Please urge Senators Reid and McConnell to schedule that vote.

According to the bill, if the congressional budget and appropriations process is not completed by the start of the government's fiscal year on October 1, members of Congress will not be paid for any time that the federal government lacks an enforceable budget and all appropriations bills.

I ask this not only as one of your constituents, but as a member of No Labels, a grassroots organization of more than half a million Democrats, Republicans and Independents dedicated to making our government work again.

A budget forces you to set priorities, and to answer the two most fundamental questions of all:

What are our nation’s priorities? How much are we going to spend on those priorities?

No Budget, No Pay would ensure these questions are being asked and answered. It will help restore accountability in Congress and it will send a strong signal to your constituents that you're listening to our concerns about the dysfunction in Washington.

I strongly urge you to support bringing the No Budget, No Pay Act to a vote this week during debate on the budget resolutions.

Sincerely,

Mr. Joshua Fisher

"Those that dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the day to find that all was vanity, but the dreamers of the day, are dangerous men, for they may act out their dreams and make them real."