Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB89

Introduced
1/25/23  

Caption

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.

Impact

The implications of SB89 would significantly alter the Congressional budget process by imposing financial consequences for delays in budget resolutions. Should this bill be enacted, it may lead to a more disciplined approach to budgeting, as lawmakers would face the prospect of forfeiting their salaries if they fail to meet deadlines. This change could enhance accountability among legislators and ensure that they prioritize budgetary processes, potentially resulting in more efficient government financial management.

Summary

Senate Bill 89, known as the 'No Budget, No Pay Act', addresses the payment of Members of Congress in relation to the passing of budget resolutions and appropriations bills. If enacted, this legislation stipulates that Members of Congress will not receive their salaries in any fiscal year unless both chambers of Congress approve a concurrent resolution on the budget and pass all regular appropriations bills by October 1. The bill essentially ties congressional compensation directly to fiscal accountability and legislative performance, aiming to incentivize timely budgeting and appropriations processes.

Contention

While the bill aims to motivate Members of Congress to act promptly on the budget, it could also lead to contentious debates regarding its implementation and fairness. Critics may argue that the punitive measure of withholding pay could discourage capable individuals from serving in Congress or create situations where urgent legislative needs conflict with the timelines set forth by the bill. Additionally, the determination process for compliance with the bill could raise procedural complexities and discussions on what constitutes timely approval, potentially opening avenues for legal challenges.

Companion Bills

US SB219

Related bill No Budget, No Pay Act

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 HB208

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 the next fiscal year by April 15, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.Salaries are withheld from April 16 until the earlier of (1) the day on which the chamber of Congress agrees to a budget resolution for the next fiscal year, or (2) the last day of the Congress.

US HCR14

Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

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 HCR117

Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

US SCR41

A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

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 HB261

Article I Regulatory Budget Act This bill requires the establishment of a federal regulatory budget to limit the costs of federal regulations. It also establishes requirements for disclosing the projected costs of federal regulations and procedures for enforcing the regulatory budget.

US HB351

Ban Congressmen Lobbyists Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from lobbying Congress or federal agencies at any point after leaving office. Currently, Senators are prohibited from lobbying Congress for two years after leaving office. Members of the House of Representatives are prohibited from lobbying Congress for one year after leaving office. The bill applies to any person who is a Member of Congress during the 118th Congress or any succeeding Congress.

US SB6

Balanced Budget Accountability Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), upon adoption by a chamber of Congress of a concurrent budget resolution for a fiscal year, to certify to the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President pro tempore of the Senate whether that chamber has adopted a balanced budget. Balanced budget means a concurrent budget resolution providing that for FY2033 and each succeeding fiscal year to which the resolution applies total outlays do not exceed total receipts and are not more than 18% of the projected domestic product for such fiscal year. The bill requires the salary of Members of Congress to be held in escrow if OMB determines a chamber has not adopted a balanced budget for FY2024 before April 16, 2023, and for FY2025 before April 16, 2024. The bill also provides for the release of these funds to the Members. Beginning in FY2026, if OMB does not certify that a chamber has adopted a balanced budget before April 16 of the prior fiscal year, each Member of that chamber shall be paid at the rate of $1 annually for pay periods after that date in the same calendar year. The bill also requires that legislation in either chamber to increase revenue be agreed upon by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of that chamber.

Similar Bills

US HB5653

No Budget, No Pay Act

US HB209

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 FY2026. 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 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.

NJ AR85

Urges Congress to appropriate additional federal funds for election security and voting equipment purposes.

US SB219

No Budget, No Pay Act

CA SJR8

Special education funding.

CA SJR19

Special education funding.

US HB5853

No Budget, No Pay Act