Ami Bera’s budget boondoggle

Ami Bera has spent nearly his entire Congressional career promoting his support of “no budget, no pay” legislation that would prevent lawmakers from receiving their paychecks until Congress passes a budget. Coincidentally, Bera has never voted for a House budget resolution since coming to Congress, including the seven House budgets he opposed yesterday.

How important is passing a budget to Bera?

Bera has no less than four (one, two, three, four) ads on his campaign website highlighting his support of “no budget, no pay,” multiple press releases and newsletters on his official site (here, here, here, here, here), and even a constituent survey on the issue.

As recent as this past weekend Bera was bragging without a hint of irony about how his “no budget, no pay” efforts led to budgets being passed in 2013 and 2014, despite opposing every budget proposed during those years.

After building his political career around the idea that politicians that can’t (or won’t) pass a budget shouldn’t get paid, will Bera honor his campaign promise and return his paycheck until he takes a stand on a budget?

NRCC Comment: “Ami Bera promised to return his paycheck if Congress didn’t pass a budget, then turned around and opposed all 7 budgets proposed in the House yesterday. Will Bera keep his campaign promise and return his paycheck to the treasury?” –NRCC Spokesman Zach Hunter

Bera votes against Republican Budget

Bera votes against Democrat Budget

Bera votes against Progressive Budget

Bera votes against Congressional Black Caucus Budget

Bera votes against Republican Study Committee Budget