Bill · S. 3057· Senate(119-S-3057)
Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act
- Introduced
- 10/27/2025
- Last activity
- 10/27/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- John Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act'' aims to reduce the pay of Members of Congress if a Government shutdown occurs. A shutdown is defined as a lapse in appropriations for one or more Federal agencies or departments. For shutdowns occurring after the November 2026 general election, pay is excluded from the pay period based on the number of 24-hour periods the shutdown is in effect. For shutdowns occurring before that date, pay is withheld and placed into an escrow account. These escrowed funds are released to the Members on the pay reduction effective date to comply with the 27th Amendment. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with assisting payroll administrators in this process.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The legislation holds elected officials accountable during government shutdowns by tying their compensation directly to government operational status.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+2
The bill promotes fiscal accountability by withholding or reducing congressional pay during government shutdowns.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Reduction of pay during shutdowns: The bill requires that if a Government shutdown is in effect, Members of Congress will not receive their full pay for the days the shutdown occurs, as calculated by one day's worth of pay for every 24-hour period of the shutdown (Section 2(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Withholding of pay into escrow: For shutdowns occurring between the Act's enactment and the November 2026 general election, pay is withheld and placed into an escrow account rather than being excluded from payments entirely (Section 2(c)(1)).
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+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2
- 10/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.