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Congress Pay Forfeiture During Government Shutdowns Amendment

This proposed constitutional amendment aims to increase accountability for elected officials. If the government shuts down due to a failure to pass funding bills, Members of Congress would lose their compensation for that period. These forfeited funds would be used to reduce the national debt, creating a financial incentive for lawmakers to resolve budget impasses quickly.
Key points
Members of Congress must forfeit their salary during any period of government shutdown (lapse in appropriations).
Forfeited compensation will be transferred to the Treasury to help reduce the Federal debt.
The measure is intended to pressure Congress to avoid shutdowns that disrupt public services for citizens.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Introduced
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 119_SJRES_94
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Process start date: 2025-10-29
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during Government shutdowns.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 119_SJRES_94.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2025-10-29.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Members of Congress must forfeit their salary during any period of government shutdown (lapse in appropriations).
  • Forfeited compensation will be transferred to the Treasury to help reduce the Federal debt.
  • The measure is intended to pressure Congress to avoid shutdowns that disrupt public services for citizens.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-23.

CATEGORIES

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