Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act
Summary
The "Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act" aims to reduce the annual pay of Members of Congress if a government shutdown occurs during a year. It mandates that during shutdowns, members' pay be reduced by an amount equivalent to the duration of the shutdown. The bill includes a provision to hold salaries in escrow before the 2026 general election to avoid violating the 27th Amendment.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would directly impact the financial compensation of members of Congress during government shutdowns. It seeks to incentivize Congress to avoid shutdowns by making them personally financially responsible. The escrow provision ensures compliance with the 27th Amendment, which prohibits varying the compensation of Senators and Representatives until after an election.
Potential Benefits
- Could incentivize Congress to prevent government shutdowns.
- May lead to more responsible budget negotiations.
- Potentially saves taxpayer money during shutdowns.
- Increases accountability of elected officials.
- Aligns congressional pay with government performance.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May not be a sufficient deterrent to prevent shutdowns if the impact is perceived as minimal.
- Could disproportionately affect members with lower personal wealth.
- Potential for unintended consequences on legislative decision-making.
- The escrow account mechanism adds administrative complexity.
- May be viewed as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive solution.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to be carefully crafted to avoid violating the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, which states that no law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. The escrow provision specifically addresses this concern by holding the funds until after the next general election. Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the Constitution addresses compensation for Senators and Representatives.
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).