No Budget, No Pay Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
- Committees
- Committee on House Administration (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 14, 2025
Bottom line
The bill aims to incentivize timely completion of the federal budget and appropriations process by withholding congressional pay until these legislative duties are fulfilled.
What it actually does
This bill, the "No Budget, No Pay Act," prohibits Members of Congress from receiving their salaries for any day after October 1 of a fiscal year if Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. It explicitly states that no funds may be appropriated for such pay during non-compliance periods and that no retroactive pay will be issued.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill holds Members of Congress accountable for their fundamental duty to pass a budget and fund the government on time. They contend it would eliminate the incentive for political brinkmanship and ensure fiscal responsibility, forcing Congress to prioritize essential legislative functions.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that withholding pay could disproportionately affect Members who are not personally wealthy, potentially creating a financial barrier to public service. They may also contend that it could be used as a political weapon, further exacerbating partisan gridlock rather than resolving it, as some Members might refuse to pass a budget to punish others.
The bill is very short and straightforward, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.
Section 3
Withholding Member Pay for Budget and Appropriations Delays
This section mandates that if Congress fails to approve a concurrent resolution on the budget and pass all regular appropriations bills by October 1 of a fiscal year, Members of Congress will not receive their pay for each day thereafter until both legislative actions are completed. This directly ties congressional compensation to the timely performance of core fiscal responsibilities.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision provides a direct and powerful incentive for Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty to pass a budget and appropriations bills on time, reducing the likelihood of government shutdowns or continuing resolutions.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that this provision could be used as a political leverage point, potentially prolonging budget impasses if one party sees a benefit in withholding pay from the other, rather than facilitating compromise.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between incentivizing timely legislative action and potentially creating another political tool that could exacerbate gridlock, especially if a minority faction uses it to pressure the majority.
Section 4(b)
No Retroactive Pay for Non-Compliance Periods
This section explicitly states that Members of Congress will not receive any back pay for the period during which their salaries were withheld due to the failure to pass a budget and appropriations bills on time. This ensures the financial penalty is permanent for the duration of non-compliance, reinforcing the incentive.
Section 5
Certification of Compliance and Non-Payment Periods
This section designates the Chairpersons of the Senate and House Budget and Appropriations Committees as the authorities responsible for determining annually, on October 1, whether Congress is in compliance with the budget and appropriations requirements. They are also tasked with certifying the specific period during which Members' pay should be withheld.
Defines "Member of Congress" by reference to 5 U.S.C. 2106, excluding the Vice President. This means the pay withholding applies to Senators and Representatives.
Section 2
Why it matters:Standard legislative practice to use existing definitions to avoid redundancy and ensure consistency across statutes.
Case for: Ensures legal precision and avoids ambiguity about who is subject to the pay withholding.
Case against: Requires external legal research to fully understand the scope of the bill, which could be seen as a minor barrier to immediate comprehension.
Estimated impact: Clarifies the scope of individuals affected by the pay withholding, impacting all 535 voting members of Congress.