The no budget, no pay act of 2013 is supposed to give Congress the incentive to pass a budget or forfeit pay. Reality is if they fail to pass a budget, the money still goes to them at the end of the 113th session. So instead of focusing on things like the budget, firearms, education, or even ground hog day, the house of Reps has spent countless hours guaranteeing their pay.




"(4) RELEASE OF AMOUNTS AT END OF THE CONGRESS- In order to ensure that this section is carried out in a manner that shall not vary the compensation of Senators or Representatives in violation of the twenty-seventh article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the payroll administrator of a House of Congress shall release for payments to Members of that House of Congress any amounts remaining in any escrow account under this section on the last day of the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress."




http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr325eh/pdf/BILLS-113hr325eh.pdf