No Pay for Disarray Act
Summary
The "No Pay for Disarray Act" aims to reduce the annual pay of Members of Congress during government shutdowns. It mandates a pay reduction for each day a shutdown is in effect, calculated as one day's worth of pay for each 24-hour period of the shutdown.
For the 119th Congress, the bill proposes holding congressional salaries in escrow during shutdowns, with the funds released at the end of the Congress. This provision is designed to comply with the Twenty-Seventh Amendment to the Constitution.
The Act defines a government shutdown as a lapse in appropriations due to a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would directly impact the personal finances of Members of Congress during government shutdowns. It intends to incentivize Congress to avoid shutdowns by creating a financial disincentive.
The escrow provision for the 119th Congress aims to ensure compliance with the 27th Amendment, which restricts mid-term changes to congressional pay.
Potential Benefits
- Could incentivize Congress to avoid government shutdowns, leading to more stable government operations.
- May increase public trust in government by holding elected officials accountable during periods of government dysfunction.
- Could potentially save taxpayer money if shutdowns are avoided or shortened.
- The escrow provision ensures compliance with the 27th Amendment, addressing potential constitutional concerns.
- Increases accountability for elected officials.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May not be a sufficient deterrent to prevent government shutdowns, as other factors can contribute to political gridlock.
- Could be perceived as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive solution to the underlying causes of government shutdowns.
- The escrow provision could be seen as a temporary measure that does not fundamentally address the issue of congressional pay during shutdowns.
- May lead to unintended consequences, such as decreased morale among members of congress.
- Could be viewed as a political stunt.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to be designed to align with the Twenty-Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits any law varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives from taking effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. The escrow provision in Section 3 specifically addresses this concern by holding salaries during the shutdown and releasing them at the end of the Congress, thus avoiding a mid-term change in compensation.
Section 2, which reduces pay for future shutdowns, applies after the next general election in November 2026, aligning with the 27th Amendment. The bill does not appear to conflict with any other constitutional provisions.
However, the effectiveness of the bill in achieving its intended purpose without raising constitutional issues could be subject to judicial review.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).