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Troops Before Politicians Act

USA119th CongressHR-518| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
Nick LaLota

Nick LaLota

Republican Representative

New York

Committee on House Administration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the Troops Before Politicians Act , establishes a mechanism to withhold the pay of Members of Congress under specific circumstances. Its primary purpose is to ensure that if active service members of the Armed Forces, including those in reserve components, are not receiving their due compensation, particularly because of a lapse in government appropriations , then congressional salaries will also be affected. Under the bill's provisions, the payroll administrator for each House of Congress would be required to withhold the compensation of its Members and deposit these amounts into an escrow account. These funds would remain in escrow until the lapse in military pay terminates, at which point they would be released to the Members. A special rule for the 119th Congress ensures compliance with the 27th Amendment by mandating the release of any remaining escrowed funds on the last day of that Congress. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with providing necessary assistance to the payroll administrators to facilitate the implementation of this Act, which also defines key terms such as "active service" and "Member of Congress" to clarify its scope.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5942
Troops Before Politicians Act
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5942
    Troops Before Politicians Act


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Congress

House of RepresentativesMembers of CongressMilitary personnel and dependentsWages and earnings

Troops Before Politicians Act

USA119th CongressHR-518| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
This legislation, known as the Troops Before Politicians Act , establishes a mechanism to withhold the pay of Members of Congress under specific circumstances. Its primary purpose is to ensure that if active service members of the Armed Forces, including those in reserve components, are not receiving their due compensation, particularly because of a lapse in government appropriations , then congressional salaries will also be affected. Under the bill's provisions, the payroll administrator for each House of Congress would be required to withhold the compensation of its Members and deposit these amounts into an escrow account. These funds would remain in escrow until the lapse in military pay terminates, at which point they would be released to the Members. A special rule for the 119th Congress ensures compliance with the 27th Amendment by mandating the release of any remaining escrowed funds on the last day of that Congress. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with providing necessary assistance to the payroll administrators to facilitate the implementation of this Act, which also defines key terms such as "active service" and "Member of Congress" to clarify its scope.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5942
Troops Before Politicians Act
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5942
    Troops Before Politicians Act


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Nick LaLota

Nick LaLota

Republican Representative

New York

Committee on House Administration

Congress

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
House of RepresentativesMembers of CongressMilitary personnel and dependentsWages and earnings