Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) introduced a bill Tuesday that would cut off pay to federal officials like Attorney General Eric Holder as long as they’re being held in contempt of Congress.
Holder was held in contempt of Congress in June of 2102 for refusing to turn over documents related to the Fast and Furious investigation.
Via The Hill:
“The American people should not be footing the bill for federal employees who stonewall Congress or rewarding government officials’ bad behavior. If the average American failed to do his or her job, he or she would hardly be rewarded,” Farenthold said.Under Farenthold’s bill, a resolution holding an official in contempt would have to be adopted by either the House or Senate. Contempt resolutions would not have to be cleared by both chambers of Congress in order for a federal official to lose their pay.The officials would receive paychecks again once the House or Senate adopted a resolution revoking the contempt charges.If the charges were not revoked, the officials held in contempt would continue to be unpaid even if a new session of Congress began.
Farenthold’s bill would not apply to former IRS official Lois Lerner because she retired last September after taking a paid leave for several months, although, as a 30-year veteran of the civil service, Lerner is also eligible for a pension.
“While Ms. Lerner has since retired from the IRS, my bill will at least prevent current and future federal employees, like [Holder], from continuing to collect their taxpayer-paid salaries while held in contempt of Congress,” Farenthold said.
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