Heller repackages ‘no budget, no pay’

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., on Tuesday relaunched his “no budget, no pay” proposal to withhold paychecks from Congress if it fails to finalize a budget resolution by the beginning of the fiscal year.

Heller first proposed the measure in July as a protest against the inability of Congress to pass a budget since 2009. Although the idea hasn’t moved forward in the Senate, it received the backing on Tuesday of the No Labels campaign.

Heller said that he will reintroduce a new and improved version of the bill Tuesday that would also block paychecks if lawmakers fail to enact spending bills before the start of the fiscal year.

Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., is introducing companion legislation in the House.

Heller and Cooper spoke Tuesday at a press conference organized by the No Labels campaign, a nonpartisan organization that is launching a 12-point "Make Congress Work" plan aimed at breaking gridlock, reducing political polarization, and promoting constructive debate.

The “no budget, no pay” proposal is one of the 12 planks.

Heller said that it will be difficult to get his proposal through Congress without public outcry — noting that he has already gotten "push back" from Tea Party lawmakers who claimed it is unconstitutional.

"Tell me in the Constitution where it says if you don't do your job you still get paid," Heller said.

Former Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., who was also at the event, said the threat of losing pay would likely have an impact. He noted that California adopted a similar measure and got a budget approved after only a week delay.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., also said the proposal would have an impact even on wealthy lawmakers.

"It's tough. People with means may be able to do without but they truly don't want to. That's how they got their means," he said.

The No Labels group was co-founded by former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker; Mark McKinnon, a former adviser to president George Bush; Kiki McLean, former adviser to Vice President Al Gore; and Bill Galston, a former advisor to President Clinton.

Republicans have complained the Senate under Democratic control has not passed a budget since April 29, 2009. But Republicans controlled the Senate in 1998, 2004 and 2006, other years when Congress failed to finish a budget.