Heller touts ‘No Budget, No Pay’; Reid denounces it

WASHINGTON - It was clear Wednesday that Congress is averting an immediate fight over government debt and is taking action to write a federal budget this year.

What was not clear is whether the threat of lawmaker pay cuts has anything to do with the progress being made on Capitol Hill fiscal issues.

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., reintroduced his bill Wednesday that would cut off the salaries of House and Senate members in years they do not meet deadlines to pass a budget or individual spending bills.

At the same time, a version of "No Budget, No Pay" was included in a bill the House passed to allow the government to continue borrowing until May in order to pay its debts.

"No Budget, No Pay" was called a "gimmick" by Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Reid previously had called the idea "stupid."

But Heller and other supporters of the concept argued there was a connection between "No Budget, No Pay" gaining support and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash., announcing the Senate would work to complete a free-standing budget for the first time in four years.

"It took one week that their paychecks are on the line that the Senate stepped up and did the right thing," House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said.

"If Senator Murray says we're going to move forward, that is a huge victory," Heller said. "We shouldn't have to have this kind of legislation.

"It's clear that growing support for 'No Budget, No Pay' is making its mark," Heller said.

Republicans argue that a budget blueprint is the first step toward balancing the government's income and outgo and that Congress has been rudderless without one.

For their part, Democrats said a standalone budget was not necessary in the past year, as spending caps were included in legislation Congress passed in August 2011.

Congress not having a budget "is a slogan, it's not reality," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. "We are under the Budget Control Act as we speak."

Reid on Wednesday called House passage of "No Budget, No Pay" a "gimmick" to pacify conservatives.

"We all understand," Reid said. "The tea party plays a big part in what goes on in the House, and they need a gimmick or two to get things done over there."

House leaders "needed to throw in some red meat to the tea party, whatever," added Murray, who maintained the Senate was planning to write a budget regardless of House action.

Heller, who has promoted "No Budget, No Pay" since July 2011, said he would consider it a success if it leads to Congress passing a budget this year.

"Whether the legislation passes or not, if we have a budget we're in great shape," Heller said. "I will have completed what I attempted to do from the beginning."

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.