Us Congress House Bill HB5772

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/27/23
• Refer: 9/27/23

Caption

No Work, No Pay Act

Impact

The imposition of fines would likely impact the dynamics within Congress, where members will have a vested financial interest in preventing shutdowns. The implementation procedures for these fines will involve the Sergeant-at-Arms in each house, thereby introducing additional administrative responsibilities. Should these fines not be paid within 30 days, the outstanding amounts must be deducted from the member's salaries, reinforcing the seriousness of their obligations. This legislation could change the perceptions of accountability among lawmakers and possibly their decision-making processes during budget negotiations.

Summary

House Bill 5772, titled the 'No Work, No Pay Act', seeks to impose financial penalties on members of Congress in the event of a government shutdown. The proposal mandates that if a shutdown occurs, fines equivalent to one day's pay for each day of the shutdown will be levied against legislators. The aim is to hold members accountable for the failure to pass appropriations and to incentivize timely legislative actions to avert shutdowns. This bill represents a potential shift in how the public can view and engage with congressional responsibilities concerning budgetary matters.

Contention

Notably, there could be significant contention surrounding this bill. Critics may argue that fines do not effectively address the underlying issues that lead to government shutdowns, such as partisan politics and budget disagreements. Moreover, opponents could express concerns regarding the practicality of enforcing these fines and their implications for legislative independence. Questions may also arise about whether personal financial penalties can actually enhance the functioning of Congress or merely serve as a symbolic gesture without substantive impacts on legislative theory and behavior.