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, a portion of their pay equivalent to the shutdown duration will be withheld. The bill includes provisions for holding salaries in escrow before the 2026 general election to comply with the 27th Amendment.
Expected Effects
This act 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 feel the financial consequences. The escrow provision ensures compliance with the 27th Amendment, which prohibits varying the compensation of Senators and Representatives until an election has intervened.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially incentivizes Congress to avoid government shutdowns.
- Could lead to more responsible budget negotiations.
- May save taxpayer money during shutdown periods.
- Demonstrates accountability from elected officials.
- Aligns congressional pay with government performance.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May not be a strong enough deterrent to prevent shutdowns.
- Could disproportionately affect members with lower personal wealth.
- Potential for unintended consequences in budget negotiations.
- The escrow provision adds complexity without guaranteed benefit.
- Could be perceived as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive solution.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's temporary escrow provision before the 2026 election attempts to comply with the 27th Amendment, 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. By holding the funds in escrow and releasing them at the end of the Congress, the bill attempts to avoid directly varying compensation during a term. Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the Constitution addresses compensation for Senators and Representatives, but does not explicitly prohibit withholding pay under specific circumstances.
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).