Since the Office of Management and Budget estimates “non-exempted” discretionary spending will be cut this year by 8.2 percent due to sequestration, Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., and Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., on Friday introduced bipartisan legislation to sequester congressional pay by the same amount. The Sequestration of Pay for Members of Congress Act would reduce pay for members of Congress, who are now considered exempt from sequestration.
“Much has been said about sequestration, but few have mentioned that the pay of Members of Congress is exempted,” DeSantis said in a statement. “When Members exempt themselves from the operation of the law, it’s not only unfair, but it also violates a core principle of republican government. That is why I am introducing legislation to reduce pay for Members of Congress at the first moment it is constitutionally permissible.”
“I am proud that Congressman Bera is joining with me to introduce this common-sense legislation. Congress must live under the same rules as everyone else; our Founding Fathers expected it and the American people demand it,” DeSantis added.
“As Representatives, we should lead by example,” Bera said in his own statement. “It’s completely hypocritical for members of Congress to exempt themselves from across-the-board spending cuts, while the American people are bearing the burden of those cuts. Real leadership begins with accountability. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with my colleague Congressman DeSantis that will apply the same cuts the American people are facing to Congressional paychecks.”
Under the Sequestration of Pay for Members of Congress Act, members’ pay would not be reduced until November 2014, to avoid any conflict with the 27th Amendment.
Rep. DeSantis discussed the bill Wednesday night with Greta Van Susteren on Fox News:
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