A Bill Proposal in Response to Government Shutdowns


Congressional Accountability in Shutdowns Act of 2025 – A Citizen Proposal

Congressional Accountability in Shutdowns Act of 2025

A Citizen-Drafted Bill Proposal to End Congressional Pay During Government Shutdowns Caused by Gridlock

Posted by @mywalkingblog on November 15, 2025

We the People elect Members of Congress to serve, not to stall. When partisan gridlock shuts down the government, federal workers lose paychecks—while the very lawmakers responsible for the impasse continue collecting theirs.

It’s time to end this double standard.

Below is a complete, professionally drafted bill proposal that suspends all congressional pay during any government shutdown caused by failure to pass appropriations. No exceptions. No loopholes. No backpay.

Feel free to share, print, or send this to your representatives. Let’s demand accountability.

The core principle: If Congress can’t agree to fund the government, its members shouldn’t get paid—period.

A BILL

To provide for the suspension of compensation for Members of Congress during periods of government shutdown attributable to congressional gridlock, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Congressional Accountability in Shutdowns Act of 2025”.

FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:

(1) The American people elect Members of Congress to represent their interests and to ensure the orderly functioning of the Federal Government.

(2) Government shutdowns caused by the failure of Congress to enact appropriations legislation or continuing resolutions result in the furlough of hundreds of thousands of Federal employees without pay and the disruption of essential services.

(3) During such shutdowns, Members of Congress continue to receive their full salaries, creating an inequitable disparity between elected officials and the public servants and citizens adversely affected by congressional inaction.

(4) Holding Members of Congress financially accountable for prolonged gridlock will incentivize timely bipartisan agreement on funding measures.

(b) Purpose.—

The purpose of this Act is to suspend compensation for all Members of the Senate and House of Representatives during any period of government shutdown triggered by the failure of Congress to pass required appropriations, thereby aligning the consequences of legislative impasse with those borne by Federal workers and the public.

SUSPENSION OF CONGRESSIONAL COMPENSATION DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

(a) In General.—

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule, or regulation, no Member of Congress shall receive compensation for any pay period that includes one or more days during which a lapse in appropriations has caused a partial or full shutdown of Federal Government operations due to the failure of Congress to enact—

  1. the 12 regular appropriations bills for the fiscal year; or
  2. a continuing resolution to fund Government operations beyond the expiration of prior funding authority.

(b) Trigger and Duration.—

  1. The suspension of compensation under subsection (a) shall commence on the first day of the shutdown and continue until the earlier of—
    (A) the date on which the President signs into law all appropriations measures necessary to fully fund the Government without lapse; or
    (B) the date on which a continuing resolution is enacted that provides funding for at least 30 days without conditions that would precipitate an immediate subsequent lapse.
  2. Compensation suspended under this section shall not be paid retroactively, reimbursed, or otherwise restored under any circumstances, including the enactment of back-pay provisions for Federal employees.

(c) Strict Application to All Members.—

  1. The provisions of this section shall apply uniformly to every Member of the Senate and House of Representatives, without exception, waiver, or exemption for leadership positions, committee chairs, or any other designation.
  2. Any attempt by Congress to appropriate funds, pass resolutions, or enact legislation to circumvent, delay, or mitigate the suspension of compensation under this Act shall be null and void.
  3. The Comptroller General of the United States shall withhold payments and certify compliance, with any violation subject to judicial review and penalties under section 4.

ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.

(a) Withholding and Certification.—

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate, shall immediately withhold all compensation payments upon notification of a shutdown by the Office of Management and Budget.

(b) Penalties for Noncompliance.—

  1. Any Member of Congress who receives or attempts to receive compensation in violation of this Act shall be liable for repayment of the full amount, plus a civil penalty equal to 200 percent of the withheld compensation.
  2. Knowing violation of this Act by any officer or employee responsible for payroll administration shall result in immediate termination and debarment from Federal employment for not less than 5 years.
  3. The Attorney General shall enforce this section through civil actions, and courts shall expedite proceedings under this Act.

SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment and apply to any government shutdown occurring after such date.

— Drafted by a concerned citizen
Inspired by fairness, accountability, and the belief that leadership means sacrifice.

Call to Action: Share this bill. Tag your representatives. Demand they sponsor it. Use hashtag: #NoPayNoPlay

Originally published on mywalkingblog.blogspot.com

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