No Budget, No Pay Act

This legislative proposal, known as the "No Budget, No Pay Act," seeks to enforce fiscal responsibility by linking congressional salaries to the timely completion of the federal budget process. Specifically, it mandates that Members of Congress will not receive pay for any period after October 1 of a fiscal year if both chambers have not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed all regular appropriations bills. This measure is designed to create a strong incentive for lawmakers to meet their fundamental budgetary obligations promptly. A crucial aspect of the bill is that any pay withheld due to non-compliance would not be paid retroactively once the budget and appropriations are eventually passed. The responsibility for determining whether Congress is in compliance with these requirements, and for how long pay should be withheld, falls to the Chairs of the House and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees. This Act is slated to become effective on September 29, 2027, aiming to ensure accountability for future budget cycles.