Freshman lawmaker on pay, benefits: None for me, thanks

Freshman Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to pay and benefits for those in public service -- or, more accurately, using his mouth to declare he's not interested in the benefits, and maybe not the money either. 

The Hill reports that DeSantis declared, in an op-ed in the Daytona Beach News Journal, that he will decline the retirement and health benefits to which he is entitled as a member of Congress as a means of showing his commitment to reforming the institution.

DeSantis also backs legislation that would withhold pay for lawmakers until they pass a budget, calling it "one way to ensure some level of accountability." A bipartisan group of legislators has endorsed such a measure, known as "No Budget, No Pay."

The No Labels organization, which is pushing the proposal, says, "the most basic job Congress has is deciding how much money the government takes in and how much it spends. If Congress can't make spending and budget decisions on time, then lawmakers should not get paid."