Bill · H.R. 209· House(119-HR-209)
Inaction Has Consequences Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/3/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Sponsored by
- Robert Wittman
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Inaction Has Consequences Act," aims to hold the salaries of House of Congress Members in escrow. This occurs if the House fails to pass all regular appropriation bills by the first day of a fiscal year. The payroll administrator will deposit compensation payments into an escrow account during this period of inaction. Funds are only released once the House passes each required regular appropriation bill or when the current Congress ends. This process is designed to ensure compliance with the twenty-seventh article of amendment to the Constitution.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill creates a financial incentive for congressional accountability regarding the passage of regular appropriation bills.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+1
The bill temporarily delays the payout of congressional salaries by holding them in escrow if appropriation bills are not passed.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Accountability for Legislative Action: The bill creates a mechanism where Members of Congress face financial consequences if they do not pass regular appropriation bills in a timely manner (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Withholding of Compensation: Members of Congress, including Delegates or Resident Commissioners, will have their salary payments deposited into an escrow account instead of receiving them directly if the House has not passed all regular appropriation bills by the start of the fiscal year (Section s 2 and Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+1
- 11/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Introduced in House
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Robert OnderRepublican · Missouri