Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act

Source of recordUS Congress · congress.govLast synced Sep 12, 2026

Chamber

House

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became Law

Overview

This bill, the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act, proposes to reduce the pay of Members of Congress during government shutdowns. Specifically, if a shutdown occurs during a pay period, the amount of pay for each Member will be reduced by one day’s pay for each day the shutdown lasts during that pay period. A separate provision addresses pay reductions before the next general election, requiring the withholding and eventual release of funds into escrow. The pay reductions will not take effect until after the 2026 general election.

Key provisions

Members of Congress' pay will be reduced during government shutdowns.
The reduction is calculated based on one day's pay for each day of the shutdown during a pay period.
A separate provision addresses pay reductions before the 2026 general election, requiring withholding and escrow.
Payroll administrators in each House of Congress will handle the pay reductions.
The Secretary of the Treasury will provide assistance to the payroll administrators.
Pay reductions will not take effect until after the 2026 general election.
Amounts withheld during shutdowns will be deposited into escrow accounts.
Escrow accounts will be released on the pay reduction effective date.

Who is affected

Members of Congress (House and Senate)
Congressional payroll administrators
The U.S. Treasury

Notable changes

Bill text

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Oct 31, 2025XMLView source

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Legislative history

4 recorded actions

Oct 31, 2025House

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.

Oct 31, 2025

Introduced in House

Mar 18, 2026House

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 10 - 0.

Mar 18, 2026House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Geography

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Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act

Progress