No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, titled the ‘No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act,’ proposes to reduce the pay of Members of Congress if the public debt limit is reached or a government shutdown occurs. Specifically, it would withhold a portion of their salary for each day that these events are in effect, calculated based on the number of 24-hour periods they last. The bill also outlines a process for holding and releasing escrowed funds related to these pay reductions, with a specific exception for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress.
Key provisions
- Members of Congress’ pay will be reduced for each day the public debt limit is reached.
- Members’ pay will be reduced for each day a government shutdown is in effect.
- The reduction is calculated based on the number of 24-hour periods the event lasts.
- Salaries will be held in escrow during periods of debt limit reach or government shutdown.
- Escrowed funds will be released at the end of the Congress to ensure consistent compensation.
- The bill applies to days after the 2026 general election.
- The Secretary of the Treasury will provide assistance to payroll administrators.
- The term ‘Member of Congress’ is defined.
Who is affected
- Members of Congress (House and Senate)
- Federal Agencies
- Taxpayers
Notable changes
- The bill establishes a mechanism for withholding congressional pay during debt ceiling crises and government shutdowns.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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15 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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