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Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act

USA119th CongressS-3057| Senate 
| Updated: 10/27/2025
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation seeks to link the compensation of Members of Congress to the occurrence of government shutdowns. It defines a Government shutdown as a lapse in appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments, and specifies that the bill applies to individuals serving as Members of Congress. Beginning after the general election in November 2026, if a government shutdown is in effect during a pay period, the payroll administrator for each House will reduce a Member's pay by an amount equal to one day's worth of pay for each 24-hour period of the shutdown. This provision ensures a direct reduction in compensation during future shutdowns. For the period between the bill's enactment and the November 2026 election, a special rule applies: amounts equivalent to the daily pay reduction will be withheld and placed into an escrow account . To comply with the 27th Amendment, which prohibits varying congressional compensation during a term, these escrowed funds will be released to Members on the pay reduction effective date, preventing an actual pay reduction during their current term. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with assisting payroll administrators in implementing these provisions.
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Timeline
Oct 27, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Oct 27, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mar 18, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5891
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • October 27, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 27, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • March 18, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5891
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Economics and Public Finance

Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act

USA119th CongressS-3057| Senate 
| Updated: 10/27/2025
This legislation seeks to link the compensation of Members of Congress to the occurrence of government shutdowns. It defines a Government shutdown as a lapse in appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments, and specifies that the bill applies to individuals serving as Members of Congress. Beginning after the general election in November 2026, if a government shutdown is in effect during a pay period, the payroll administrator for each House will reduce a Member's pay by an amount equal to one day's worth of pay for each 24-hour period of the shutdown. This provision ensures a direct reduction in compensation during future shutdowns. For the period between the bill's enactment and the November 2026 election, a special rule applies: amounts equivalent to the daily pay reduction will be withheld and placed into an escrow account . To comply with the 27th Amendment, which prohibits varying congressional compensation during a term, these escrowed funds will be released to Members on the pay reduction effective date, preventing an actual pay reduction during their current term. The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with assisting payroll administrators in implementing these provisions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Oct 27, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Oct 27, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mar 18, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5891
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  • October 27, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 27, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • March 18, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5891
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Economics and Public Finance

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted