Sen. Steve Daines on Wednesday continued his push to withhold pay from members of Congress if they fail to pass a balanced budget.

At an open hearing before the Joint Select Committee on Budget, Daines called for reforms to the budget process, which includes withholding pay from congressional members if they're unable to pass a balanced budget.

The measure is the first introduced by Daines in the 115th Congress.

“It’s simple, we don’t pass a balanced budget, we don’t get paid,” Daines said. “There are at least 46 out of 50 states that require a balanced budget. If 46 states can do it, so can we.”

Daines said the Balanced Budget Accountability Act would strengthen accountability in Washington, D.C., and encourage members of Congress to commit to the annual budget process.

If a balanced budget is not passed by April 15, he said, congressional members would see their pay suspended.

“The Balanced Budget Accountability Act reflects Montana values: commonsense practices that promises made are promises kept,” Daines said. “Elected officials need to be accountable to the folks they serve and that starts with getting our fiscal house in order. Montana families balance their budgets, it’s unreasonable that Congress can’t do the same.”

Daines also introduced a similar bill during both the 113th and 114th Congress.

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