Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla) is none too pleased about our mounting federal debt equaling up to nearly $20 trillion. Taking the stance that any other kind of entity would not reward its failures with more money, Buchanan is taking measures to see to it that congressional members do not reward themselves for coming up short.

So Buchanan introduced the No Pay Raise for Congress Act, which essentially would ban lawmakers from giving themselves more money if they fail to balance the budget that fiscal year.

“Successful businesses do not reward an employee who fails to do their job,” Buchanan said in a press release sent to TheBlaze. “This same common sense must be used in Washington. Members of Congress should not be eligible for pay raises if they cannot fulfill one of their most basic responsibilities.”

The Congressman called Washington’s failure to rein in the growing debt “downright immoral” as millions of American families are forced to make tough financial decisions each day. Buchanan also noted that the U.S. has joined a short list of industrialized nations – along with Greece and Iceland – whose debt exceeds its total economic output.

“Forty-nine states, including Florida, are required by law to balance the budget,” Buchanan continued. “In Florida, passing a balanced budget is priority number one for the state legislature. Washington should not be held to a different standard.”