Heller: Dock Congress' pay during budget impasses

Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller is proposing an amendment to dock House and Senate members' pay if a budget bill isn't agreed upon by the start of any new fiscal year.

Heller said Monday that he wants a vote on his amendment to a measure sponsored by Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid's bill calls for higher taxes on anyone earning $1 million or more as part of an overall deficit reduction plan.

Heller says if Congress doesn't do its job, members shouldn't get paid. The amendment would also prohibit retroactive pay once a budget is passed.

If approved, his proposal wouldn't take effect until February 2013.