Bill · H.R. 1973· House(119-HR-1973)

No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act

Age: 51 years

Virginia

Introduced: 3/10/2025
Last activity: 3/10/2025 — Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsored by: Eugene Vindman
Cosponsors: - 10 - 4

Congress

Introduced
In Committee

What this bill would do

The "No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act" aims to reduce the annual pay of Members of Congress under specific circumstances. If the public debt limit is reached or a Government shutdown occurs, the annual rate of pay for Members is reduced by one day's worth of pay for every 24-hour period the event lasts. For the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, pay may be held in an escrow account and released on the last day of the term to comply with the Constitution. These pay reductions generally apply to days occurring after the November 2026 general election. A Government shutdown is defined as a lapse in appropriations due to a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution.

Yes· 3 of 7

Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+3
The bill aims to increase fiscal accountability by linking congressional compensation to the prevention of shutdowns and debt limit issues.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+2
The bill incentivizes timely debt limit resolutions by penalizing congressional pay during defaults.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill increases transparency and accountability by creating financial consequences for legislative failure.