This legislation proposes that if either the House of Representatives or the Senate does not agree to a concurrent resolution on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year by April 15th, the salaries of its Members will be placed into an escrow account. This action would commence on April 16th and continue until the respective chamber passes the budget resolution. The bill aims to create a strong incentive for Congress to fulfill its budgetary responsibilities in a timely manner. Funds held in escrow would be released to Members only after the budget resolution is adopted by their chamber or, at the latest, on the last day of that Congress. This provision ensures compliance with the Twenty-Seventh Amendment , which prohibits changes to congressional compensation during a term. The measure applies to all Members of Congress, including Delegates and Resident Commissioners, and is set to take effect for fiscal year 2026 and all subsequent fiscal years.
Budget deficits and national debtBudget processCongressional oversightGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementMembers of Congress
No Budget, No Pay Act
USA119th CongressHR-208| House
| Updated: 1/3/2025
This legislation proposes that if either the House of Representatives or the Senate does not agree to a concurrent resolution on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year by April 15th, the salaries of its Members will be placed into an escrow account. This action would commence on April 16th and continue until the respective chamber passes the budget resolution. The bill aims to create a strong incentive for Congress to fulfill its budgetary responsibilities in a timely manner. Funds held in escrow would be released to Members only after the budget resolution is adopted by their chamber or, at the latest, on the last day of that Congress. This provision ensures compliance with the Twenty-Seventh Amendment , which prohibits changes to congressional compensation during a term. The measure applies to all Members of Congress, including Delegates and Resident Commissioners, and is set to take effect for fiscal year 2026 and all subsequent fiscal years.