US
Us Congress House Bill HB224

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB224

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

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.

Impact

If passed, HB 224 would establish a concrete financial consequence for Congress members who do not fulfill their responsibilities in regard to budgetary approvals. This act may encourage a more proactive approach to legislative decision-making and could lead to a shift in how members of Congress prioritize the timely passage of essential funding measures. The bill could potentially improve fiscal discipline within the government by ensuring that members are incentivized to avoid gridlock during budget negotiations.

Summary

House Bill 224, titled the 'Inaction Has Consequences Act,' proposes a mechanism to hold the salaries of members of Congress in escrow if they fail to pass regular appropriation bills in a timely manner before the start of the fiscal year, starting with fiscal year 2024. The bill aims to enhance accountability among lawmakers concerning their legislative duties related to budgeting and appropriations, which are critical to government operations and funding for various activities across the federal landscape.

Contention

Discussions around HB 224 are expected to spark debates regarding the appropriateness and implications of penalizing lawmakers by withholding their salaries. Supporters may argue that this measure is a necessary step to curb legislative inaction and instill a stronger sense of urgency about fiscal accountability. However, potential critics might raise concerns about the fairness of such a policy and whether it could lead to unintended consequences, such as members being more susceptible to political pressure or violation of their legislative duties in defense of their compensation.

Latest HB224 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

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