WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers released the following statement from her office in Washington this afternoon:

"This afternoon, the House of Representatives sent a direct message to the Democrats who are running Washington: pass a budget. The American people and households across the country have to live according to a budget and are fed up with our government's disregard for the economic troubles facing our country. We have been elected to be stewards of our nation and responsible guardians of taxpayer dollars. This bill will hold our colleagues in the Senate accountable for their refusal to pass a budget for the last four years - a neglect of their most basic duties. If we are to lead this country out of this recession, we must have the courage to work together to organize our finances and provide certainty for the millions of Americans who depend on it."

This afternoon, a bipartisan majority of the House passed The No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. This legislation requires that the House and Senate adopt a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2014 by April 15, 2013. If either body does not, members of that body will have their pay put into an escrow account starting on April 16 and continuing until that body adopts a budget. Withheld pay will be released when a budget is adopted or at the end of the current Congress. The requirement that pay placed in escrow be released at the end of the 113th Congress is specifically included to ensure compliance with the 27th Amendment.

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For more information, please visit Congresswoman Ellmers’ website at www.ellmers.house.gov or call (202) 225-4531.

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