CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

Bryan Steil (R-WI)

Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act

H.R. 5891 · House bill Congress

A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 13 cosponsors

Last activity — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 10 - 0.

Introduced, nothing more yet

Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.

Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.

Its path through Congress

  1. Introduced

What this bill would do

The "Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act" aims to reduce the annual pay of Members of Congress if a government shutdown occurs. A shutdown is defined as a lapse in appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments. For shutdowns occurring after the November 2026 general election, pay will be excluded from the pay period. For shutdowns occurring before that date, pay will be held in an escrow account. This structure is intended to ensure compensation does not violate the 27th Amendment.

Yes

  • Scored +5

    Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?

    Encourages fiscal responsibility by penalizing legislators financially for failing to pass appropriations.

  • Scored +2

    Does this reduce what the federal government spends?

    Directly reduces expenditure on congressional salaries during government shutdowns.

  • Scored +1

    Does this reduce what the federal government owes?

    Reduces government spending by lowering the total pay disbursed to Members of Congress during shutdowns.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.