PORT ANGELES — U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer has proposed an amendment that would prevent representatives from going home for Thanksgiving when Congress fails to pass its budget resolutions in a timely matter.
The Gig Harbor Democrat was joined with Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, in proposing an amendment, calling on the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform’s support when it returns to complete consideration on their recommendations after Thanksgiving.
“Ever since my first job at West Side Video in Port Angeles, Washington, I’ve never had a job where I expected my boss to approve a leave request if my work wasn’t finished. Congress ought to function the same way,” Kilmer said in a statement.
“It’s time for comprehensive reform to Congress’s budgeting process that incentivizes progress over partisanship and bipartisanship over bickering. That’s the driving force behind the No-budget, No-recess amendment Rep. Arrington and I will offer next week.”
Under the plan, Congress would not be allowed to adjourn without successfully completing all of its annual appropriations work before the July and August district work periods.
Specifically, the amendment would prohibit the House from considering adjournment resolutions and also recommends that the House require live quorum calls for failure to pass a budget resolution or annual appropriations bills.
If the House currently operated under these rules, members would be in Washington, D.C., working on a budget before the start of the fiscal year, rather than traveling home.
Kilmer and Arrington will offer this amendment during the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform’s markup after the Thanksgiving recess.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
