Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB43

Introduced
1/24/23  

Caption

This bill eliminates automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress, beginning with the 119th Congress.

Impact

The repeal of automatic pay adjustments would imply that future pay changes for Congress members will depend on legislative decisions rather than being tied to inflation or cost-of-living adjustments. This change could lead to a more scrutinized and potentially contentious process for determining congressional salaries in the future. Additionally, by removing automatic adjustments, the bill may signal a commitment to greater government reform and addressing public concerns about government spending.

Summary

SB43, introduced in the Senate on January 24, 2023, aims to repeal the provision of law that automatically adjusts the pay of Members of Congress. This bill suggests a shift towards more manual oversight of congressional salaries, intending to ensure that such adjustments are not made without explicit legislative action. Supporters argue that this would enhance fiscal responsibility and accountability among legislators by requiring them to explicitly vote on pay changes rather than allowing automatic adjustments.

Contention

While supporters view SB43 as a necessary step towards responsible governance, critics may argue that eliminating automatic pay adjustments could lead to unpredictability in compensation for lawmakers. This unpredictability might affect congressional retention and recruitment, as potential candidates could be deterred by uncertainty regarding salary changes. The conversations surrounding the bill may also highlight varying perspectives on how lawmakers should be compensated and whether their salaries should be insulated from economic fluctuations.

Notable_points

It's important to note that SB43 does not propose a reduction in salary, but rather a procedural change in how pay adjustments are implemented. This bill could set a precedent for future legislation regarding the compensation of elected officials, potentially influencing broader discussions about public sector wages and benefits.

Companion Bills

US HB1417

Same As To repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

Previously Filed As

US HB265

No Vote, No Raise Act This bill eliminates automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

US HB135

No Pay Raise for Congress Act This bill cancels the automatic adjustment to the pay of Members of Congress that is based on the employment cost index if the Congressional Budget Office determines that there was a federal budget deficit in the last fiscal year.

US HB1417

To repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

US SB86

This bill eliminates automatic increases to pay for Members of Congress, beginning with the 120th Congress. Current law automatically increases Member pay according to a formula. The annual increase is (1) based on the percentage change in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI); and (2) capped at the percentage increase to General Schedule (GS) employees' base pay. The annual adjustment automatically goes into effect unless Congress modifies the increase in legislation.

US HB141

No Pay for Disarray Act This bill eliminates one day of pay for each Member of the House of Representatives for any day of a Congress during which no Speaker has been elected.

US SB2773

Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act

US HB351

Ban Congressmen Lobbyists Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from lobbying Congress or federal agencies at any point after leaving office. Currently, Senators are prohibited from lobbying Congress for two years after leaving office. Members of the House of Representatives are prohibited from lobbying Congress for one year after leaving office. The bill applies to any person who is a Member of Congress during the 118th Congress or any succeeding Congress.

US SB1171

Ending Trading and Holdings In Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act

US HB5188

Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2023

US HB225

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for FY2024 by April 15, 2023, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Salaries are withheld from April 16, 2023, until the earlier of (1) the day on which the chamber of Congress agrees to a budget resolution, or (2) the last day of the 118th Congress.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.