US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB265

Introduced
1/10/23  

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, this bill would amend the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 by repealing provisions that allow for automatic salary adjustments. As a result, members of Congress would need to participate in votes for any increase in their salary to be valid. This change is expected to align the financial incentives of Congress members with their legislative responsibilities, possibly fostering more active participation in law-making processes.

Summary

House Bill 265, also known as the 'No Vote, No Raise Act', is legislation aimed at eliminating automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress. The bill contends that members of Congress should not receive pay raises unless they actively vote on related legislation. This proposed change is seen as a form of accountability for elected officials, asserting that their salary adjustments should be directly tied to their performance and engagement in legislative duties. By requiring a vote, the bill seeks to enhance transparency and responsibility among elected representatives.

Contention

The bill has sparked some debate, particularly regarding whether it effectively addresses the issues of public trust and the perceived disconnect between Congress and their constituents. Supporters argue that it can serve as a deterrent for complacency among lawmakers, while critics may suggest it could lead to unintended consequences, such as a reluctance to support raises even in cases where they are justified by economic conditions. The full implications of such a change remain to be explored as it is discussed in relevant committees.

Companion Bills

US HB1417

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

Previously Filed As

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 SB86

A bill to repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

US HB7628

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

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 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 HB155

Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Congress Act or the CLEAN Congress Act This bill (1) requires bills, orders, resolutions, or votes submitted by Congress to the President to include only one subject that is clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title; and (2) makes ineffective any provision of law that excludes its application to a Member of Congress or to an employee in a Member's office.

US HB260

Nickel Plan Act This bill modifies the federal budget process to establish and enforce new spending caps. The bill establishes an outlay cap (less net interest payments) for FY2024 of $5.953 trillion, less 5%. For each year from FY2025-FY2027, the outlay cap is 5% less than the previous year's outlay cap. For FY2028 and subsequent years, total outlays (including net interest payments) may not exceed 17.5% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for that year as estimated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Beginning in FY2029, total projected outlays for any year may not be less than the total projected outlays for the preceding year. The OMB must enforce the spending caps using a sequester to eliminate any excess spending through automatic cuts. The bill eliminates the existing exemptions from sequestration. If the OMB projects a sequester, the congressional budget committees may report a resolution directing congressional committees to change existing law to achieve the spending reductions necessary to meet the outlay limits. The bill also establishes procedures for Congress to enforce the outlay caps established by this bill.

US HB268

District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act This bill eliminates the authority of Congress to nullify recently enacted laws of the District of Columbia (DC). Current law generally permits Congress to review and disapprove, through a joint resolution, measures enacted by the DC Council. If the President signs the resolution, the measure may not go into effect. The bill eliminates that congressional review process.

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 HF715

A bill for an act relating to the automatic resignation of members of Congress.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.