Bayh calls for suspending congressional pay in stalemates

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - U.S. Senate candidate Evan Bayh says members of Congress shouldn't get paid if they don't pass a budget or if government shuts down.

The Democratic former Indiana governor and U.S. senator tells The Associated Press he will pursue those changes if elected.

Bayh says they are "common sense" steps that can help Congress improve its dismal approval rating and regain voter trust.

Bayh says he also thinks members of Congress should be banned from sending out taxpayer funded mailings that promote lawmakers' deeds in office.

Bayh's campaign says his Republican opponent U.S. Rep. Todd Young has spent over $270,000 on the mailings - more than anyone else in the Indiana delegation.

Young's campaign did not directly respond to Bayh but criticized the former senator for his lobbying work.