Ralph Norman (R-SC)· Introduced September 30, 2025

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation for any period during which a Government shutdown is in effect.

H.J.Res. 128 · House resolution Congress

A Republican resolution with 20 Republican cosponsors · See all 20 cosponsors

Last activity September 30, 2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

In committee

Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.

The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.

Its path through Congress

Introduced
In Committee

What this bill would do

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution. The amendment would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation during a government shutdown. A shutdown is defined as a lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department caused by a failure to pass a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution. This amendment would become part of the Constitution once ratified by three-fourths of the States within seven years. Finally, Congress would have the power to enforce this new article through legislation.

Yes

Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill aims to increase accountability and transparency by ensuring lawmakers face financial consequences during funding disputes.
Scored +2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill reduces government spending by prohibiting the payment of salaries to Members of Congress during periods of a government shutdown.
Scored +1
Would high-income households be better off under this?
The bill may slightly benefit high-income households by reducing total federal expenditures through the cessation of congressional pay during shutdowns.