Inaction Has Consequences Act

This legislation, titled the "Inaction Has Consequences Act," aims to ensure the timely passage of federal appropriation bills by establishing a financial incentive for Members of Congress. Beginning with fiscal year 2026, if either the House or Senate fails to pass all designated regular appropriation bills by the first day of the fiscal year, the salaries of Members in that chamber will be placed into an escrow account. A "regular appropriation bill" is defined as one under the jurisdiction of specific subcommittees in both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The period during which salaries are held in escrow begins on the first day of the fiscal year and concludes when all required appropriation bills are passed by that chamber or on the last day of the Congress. To comply with the Twenty-Seventh Amendment , any funds remaining in escrow are released to Members at the end of the Congress. Payroll administrators for each House are responsible for managing these escrow accounts, including standard withholding and remittance, with support from the Secretary of the Treasury.