Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation during a fiscal year unless both Houses of Congress have agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal year prior to the beginning of that fiscal year.

1/14/2025, 9:42 PM

This joint resolution proposes amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation unless both chambers have agreed to a fiscal year budget prior to the start of the fiscal year. The amendment applies beginning in the fiscal year after the amendment is ratified and becomes a valid part of the Constitution.

Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, both chambers of Congress may propose an amendment by a vote of two-thirds of all Members present for such vote. A proposed amendment must be ratified by the states as prescribed in Article V.

Bill 119 hjres 7, also known as the "No Budget, No Pay Act," proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving their salaries during a fiscal year unless both the House of Representatives and the Senate have agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal year before it begins.

The purpose of this bill is to incentivize Congress to pass a budget in a timely manner and avoid government shutdowns by tying their pay to the budget process. Currently, Congress has faced criticism for failing to pass budgets on time, leading to uncertainty and inefficiency in government operations.

If this bill were to become law, Members of Congress would only receive their salaries if they have successfully passed a budget resolution before the start of the fiscal year. This would hold lawmakers accountable for their responsibility to pass a budget and ensure that government operations are funded in a timely manner. Overall, the No Budget, No Pay Act aims to promote fiscal responsibility and accountability within Congress by linking lawmakers' compensation to their ability to pass a budget on time.
Congress
119

Number
HJRES - 7

Introduced on
2025-01-03

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/3/2025

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

This joint resolution proposes amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation unless both chambers have agreed to a fiscal year budget prior to the start of the fiscal year. The amendment applies beginning in the fiscal year after the amendment is ratified and becomes a valid part of the Constitution.

Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, both chambers of Congress may propose an amendment by a vote of two-thirds of all Members present for such vote. A proposed amendment must be ratified by the states as prescribed in Article V.

Bill 119 hjres 7, also known as the "No Budget, No Pay Act," proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving their salaries during a fiscal year unless both the House of Representatives and the Senate have agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal year before it begins.

The purpose of this bill is to incentivize Congress to pass a budget in a timely manner and avoid government shutdowns by tying their pay to the budget process. Currently, Congress has faced criticism for failing to pass budgets on time, leading to uncertainty and inefficiency in government operations.

If this bill were to become law, Members of Congress would only receive their salaries if they have successfully passed a budget resolution before the start of the fiscal year. This would hold lawmakers accountable for their responsibility to pass a budget and ensure that government operations are funded in a timely manner. Overall, the No Budget, No Pay Act aims to promote fiscal responsibility and accountability within Congress by linking lawmakers' compensation to their ability to pass a budget on time.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation during a fiscal year unless both Houses of Congress have agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal year prior to the beginning of that fiscal year.

Policy Areas
Congress

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary1/14/2025

This joint resolution proposes amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation unless both chambers have agreed to a fiscal year budget prior to the start of the fiscal year. The amendment applies beginni...


Latest Action1/3/2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.