Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB518

Introduced
1/16/25  

Caption

Troops Before Politicians ActThis bill withholds the pay of Members of Congress if active service members of the Armed Forces are not receiving pay, including as a result of a lapse in appropriations (i.e., a government shutdown). The withheld pay of Members must be deposited into an escrow account and released when the military lapse in pay ends.

Impact

If enacted, HB 518 would modify the way in which Congress addresses fiscal accountability, particularly regarding the pay of its members in relation to that of military service members. In ensuring that members of Congress would not receive their pay while active duty military members are financially affected, the bill seeks to promote greater responsibility among legislators. It aims to create a stronger link between Congress's actions regarding budgets and the effects of those decisions on the military.

Summary

House Bill 518, known as the 'Troops Before Politicians Act', is a legislative proposal aimed at withholding the pay of Members of Congress during certain circumstances, particularly if active service members of the Armed Forces are not receiving their own pay due to a lapse in appropriations or other fiscal issues. The intention behind the bill is to emphasize the priority of military personnel and to ensure that Congress is held accountable for fiscal decisions that impact their compensation. The bill establishes a framework where salaries of Congress members would be placed in escrow until the issue affecting military pay is resolved.

Contention

The bill may face contention in legislative discussions, as some members of Congress might argue that it undermines the stability of their compensation regardless of broader fiscal challenges. There might also be debates regarding the appropriateness of tying Congressional pay to military compensation issues, with potential concerns over how such measures could be perceived in terms of fairness and equality. Opponents could argue that withholding pay is not a solution to budgetary problems and that it could further complicate already contentious appropriations negotiations.

Congress_id

119-HR-518

Policy_area

Congress

Introduced_date

2025-01-16

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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.

US HB224

Inaction Has Consequences Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not passed each of the annual appropriations bills before the beginning of the fiscal year, beginning with FY2024. Salaries are released on the earlier of (1) the date on which the chamber of Congress passes the bills, or (2) the last day of the Congress.

US HB5942

Troops Before Politicians Act

US SB89

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid in a fiscal year until both chambers approve the budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. Retroactive pay is prohibited for such a period.

US SB5520

A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the provision of military housing to members of the Armed Forces and their families through private entities, and for other purposes.

US HB10472

To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to the Quapaw Nation and certain members of the Quapaw Nation in accordance with the recommendation of the United States Court of Federal Claims, and for other purposes.

US HB111

Budget Process Enhancement Act This bill modifies the federal budget process to withhold the salaries of Members of Congress and cancel the salaries of certain employees of the Office of Management and Budget when certain budget process requirements are not met. The bill also changes the assumptions that the Congressional Budget Office uses to calculate its baseline for discretionary spending to eliminate certain adjustments for inflation and other factors. (A baseline is a projection of federal spending and receipts during a fiscal year under current law.)

US SB5619

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to the Quapaw Nation and certain members of the Quapaw Nation in accordance with the recommendation of the United States Court of Federal Claims, and for other purposes.

US HB3538

No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act

US HJR93

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.

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