Rooney Cosponsors “Stop Pay for Members Act”
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) today cosponsored the “Stop Pay for Members Act,” a bill that would prohibit members from receiving pay during a default and would not allow for that pay to be recouped retroactively.
“I remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement that will prevent a default, cut spending significantly and implement serious reforms to ensure that we don’t face a debt crisis like this in the future,” Rooney said. “Congress needs to do its job, but if August 3 rolls around and there’s still no deal, then we absolutely should not get paid.”
According to a Bipartisan Policy Center analysis, if the debt ceiling is not increased by August 2, the Treasury Department would have to choose which of the approximately 80 million in payments need to be made with the limited revenue available. The Stop Pay Act would place Members of the House and Senate dead last on the list, ensuring Members would not get paid.
Rooney has written a letter to the President urging him to commit his Administration to making all interest, military personnel, Social Security and Medicare payments in full and on time, even if the federal debt ceiling is not increased by August 2.
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