Congressman Biggs Introduces the "Budget Process Accountability Act"

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) introduced the Budget Process Accountability Act. This legislation would penalize Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate by holding their salaries in escrow if their respective chamber has not agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 by April 15, 2017. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

"I have introduced the "Budget Process Accountability Act" to fulfill one of the six promises I made to my constituents last year. It is imperative that Congress return to regular order when debating and passing a sustainable and balanced budget for the federal government. Our responsibility is to pass a budget – not to kick the can down the road for a future Congress. We should not be paid if that job is not completed."

The Budget Process Accountability Act builds on the extensive and exemplary work of Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), who introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act earlier this month. Congressman Wittman issued the following statement on his efforts:

"People are sick and tired of government-by-crisis. They want to see Washington at work for them. For far too long, Congress has chosen to fund the government through short-sighted, stop-gap budget measures. It's time for us to put aside partisan bickering, and get to work on a budget that reflects the will of the people and provides some certainty for businesses and communities in the year ahead."

Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Sun Lakes, and Queen Creek. He lives with his wife Cindy in Gilbert.