US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal 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 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 SB86

A bill 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 HB7628

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

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 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 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 HB127

Protection from Obamacare Mandates and Congressional Equity Act This bill alters provisions relating to the requirement to maintain minimum essential health care coverage (i.e., the individual mandate), as well as provisions relating to health care coverage for certain executive branch and congressional employees. Specifically, the bill exempts individuals from the requirement to maintain minimum essential health care coverage if they reside in a county where fewer than two health insurers offer insurance on the health insurance exchange. Under current law, there is no penalty for failing to maintain minimum essential health care coverage. The bill also requires certain executive branch and congressional employees to participate in health insurance exchanges. Under current law, Members of Congress and their designated staff are required to obtain coverage through health insurance exchanges, rather than the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Current regulations authorize government contributions toward such coverage and require Members of Congress to designate which members of their staff are required to obtain coverage through an exchange. The bill requires all congressional staff, including employees of congressional committees and leadership offices, to obtain coverage through an exchange. The bill also prohibits Members of Congress from having the discretion to determine which of their employees are eligible to enroll through an exchange. Further, the President, Vice President, and executive branch political appointees must also obtain coverage through exchanges, rather than FEHB. The government is prohibited from contributing to or subsidizing the health insurance coverage of the officials and employees subject to this requirement, including Members of Congress and their staff.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.