Senators propose bill to use extra office funds to pay down federal debt

“As chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee that oversees funding for congressional office budgets, I believe we must lead by example,” Nelson said. “It’s my hope this first step will serve as a model for Congress and the executive branch to tackle debt reduction from many angles.” 

On Monday, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said he was cutting his office budget by 5 percent and introduced a bill requiring all Senate offices to cut the same amount. The measure is similar to a resolution passed by the House cutting all office budgets by 5 percent and the House Appropriations Committee budget by 9 percent. The House bill saves an estimated $35 million, whereas the Senate bill would save approximately $20 million.