July 20, 2012

U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) joined Congressman Charles W. Boustany (R-South Louisiana) today in supporting the bipartisan No Show, No Pay Act, H.R. 6085 at press conference at the U.S. Capitol. The No Show, No Pay Act prohibits Members of Congress from receiving their pay for any day they miss votes.

"Thousands of folks in Georgia and millions around the country are looking for work. At the very least, Members of Congress can do the work that they're paid to do, or do without the pay," Congressman Barrow said. "Every day all over our country people show up for work. If they don't, their pay is docked. Members of Congress should get treated the same."

Currently, there is a law on the books to dock a Congressman's pay for missing work, but it has no standards for compliance and is hardly ever enforced. The No Show, No Pay Act plugs that loophole by providing a simple rule for compliance, which will make enforcement automatic.

In addition to docking a Member's pay for missing votes, the No Show, No Pay Act also provides transparency and accountability on attendance. The bill requires that the Chief Administrative Officer publish online a monthly report noting each Member that missed a vote during the month. The report will also show the amount of pay the Member is being docked for the month, as well as the cumulative total pay docked for Members missing votes.

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Contact: Richard Carbo
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