Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5792
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-30T18:40:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act" (H.R. 5792) aims to withhold salaries from Members of Congress, the President, and the Vice President during federal government shutdowns caused by lapses in funding. It holds these salaries in escrow (a temporary holding account) and releases them only after the shutdown ends or at the conclusion of the relevant congressional term or presidential office, to encourage quicker resolutions to funding disputes.
Key Provisions
- Salary Withholding for Members of Congress:
- Applies starting with the 119th Congress (and all subsequent Congresses).
- During a pay period with a shutdown, the daily salary rate (based on existing law) for each affected day is deposited into an escrow account instead of being paid directly.
- Funds are released upon the shutdown's end or the last day of the Congress in which the shutdown began.
- Any remaining escrowed amounts are released at the end of the Congress to comply with constitutional requirements.
- Payroll administrators (Chief Administrative Officer for the House, Secretary for the Senate) handle this, with assistance from the Secretary of the Treasury.
- Standard tax withholdings and remittances apply to escrowed amounts as if they were paid normally.
- Salary Withholding for the President and Vice President:
- Applies during their terms of office.
- The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) withholds daily salary rates for shutdown days into escrow.
- Funds are released upon the shutdown's end or the last day of the term in which the shutdown began.
- Any remaining escrowed amounts are released at the end of the term.
- Tax withholdings and remittances apply similarly.
- Definition of Government Shutdown:
- A shutdown occurs due to a failure to pass regular appropriations bills or continuing resolutions (temporary funding extensions), leading to a lapse in funding for any federal agency or department.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Currently, Members of Congress, the President, and the Vice President continue to receive full salaries during shutdowns, even as many federal employees are furloughed (temporarily laid off without pay).
- This bill introduces mandatory escrow for their salaries tied directly to shutdown durations, marking a shift to impose financial consequences on top officials.
- It builds on the 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (which prohibits mid-term changes to congressional pay) by ensuring escrowed funds are eventually paid, avoiding any permanent reduction.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, but could indirectly speed up budget negotiations, reducing the frequency or length of shutdowns that disrupt agency operations and furlough non-essential workers.
- On Citizens: May lead to fewer or shorter shutdowns, minimizing delays in federal services like national parks, tax processing, or benefit payments; however, it does not address pay for furloughed federal employees.
- On International Relations: No direct effects, though prolonged shutdowns have historically strained U.S. diplomatic efforts by limiting embassy staffing or foreign aid—faster resolutions could mitigate this.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Members of Congress: Directly lose access to pay during shutdowns, creating personal financial incentives to resolve them.
- President and Vice President: Face similar pay delays, pressuring the executive branch in budget disputes.
- Federal Payroll Administrators: Including OPM, congressional officers, and the Treasury Department, who gain new responsibilities for escrow management.
- Federal Employees and the Public: Indirectly affected through potentially reduced shutdown disruptions, though furloughed workers' pay issues remain unaddressed.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill carefully structures escrow to ensure compliance with existing pay laws (e.g., 2 U.S.C. 4501 for Congress) and mandates assistance from Treasury and OPM, potentially requiring minor administrative updates but no major overhauls.
- Constitutional: Explicitly references the 27th Amendment to prevent any perception of mid-term pay cuts, preserving the clause's intent that Congress cannot alter its own compensation during a session. It respects separation of powers by applying uniformly to legislative and executive branches without judicial involvement.
- Political: Could heighten accountability for shutdowns (often resulting from partisan budget disagreements), incentivizing bipartisan compromise but possibly sparking debates over fairness, as it singles out elected leaders while exempting other officials like judges or military personnel. If enacted, it might set a precedent for linking official pay to government functionality.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-10-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-10-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act — issued 2025-10-17 — PDF (8 pages)