PROGRESS: ‘No Budget, No Pay’ Advances Despite Reservations.

In an earlier era, a move like the one engineered by House GOP leaders to pass a “no budget, no pay” measure probably would have been stopped in its tracks.

But with Congress’ approval ratings in the gutter, House lawmakers pushed aside questions about fairness and constitutionality and tacked the idea on to an unpopular, must-pass measure to increase the government’s borrowing cap.

This AP story is an apologia for the bill’s opponents, but it still can’t obscure the fact that with Congress deeply unpopular for failing to do its job, reform proposals that would normally not have a chance might make it now. Which is a good reason for someone to introduce my revolving-door surtax for government officials who leave for higher-paying jobs elsewhere.