Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
- Committees
- Committee on House Administration (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 17, 2025
Bottom line
H.R. 5792 aims to suspend the immediate payment of salaries for federal elected officials during government shutdowns, holding them in escrow until the shutdown concludes or their term ends, without ultimately reducing their total compensation.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the salaries of Members of Congress, the President, and the Vice President be held in an escrow account during any period of a government shutdown. These withheld salaries would only be released once the shutdown ends or at the conclusion of the current Congress or term of office, ensuring that officials eventually receive their full compensation. The intent is to link their immediate pay to the operational status of the government.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill increases accountability for elected officials during government shutdowns, aligning their financial experience more closely with that of furloughed federal workers. They contend it incentivizes a quicker resolution to budget impasses by creating a direct financial consequence for those responsible for funding decisions.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that this bill is largely symbolic, as it does not actually reduce compensation but merely delays it, thus failing to create a true disincentive for shutdowns. Some may also contend that while it attempts to comply with the 27th Amendment, it could still be seen as an indirect attempt to vary compensation during a term.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick read and easy understanding of its core provisions.
Section 2(a)
Escrow for Congressional Salaries (119th Congress)
For the 119th Congress, if a government shutdown occurs, the daily pay for Members of Congress will be deposited into an escrow account instead of being paid out. These funds will only be released to the Members once the shutdown ends or on the last day of the 119th Congress, whichever comes first. This mechanism ensures they eventually receive their full pay, but with a delay during the shutdown period.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision ensures Members of Congress share a financial consequence, albeit delayed, for government shutdowns, fostering greater accountability and urgency in resolving budget impasses.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that since the funds are eventually released, this provision is largely symbolic and does not impose a true financial penalty, thus failing to achieve its stated goal of incentivizing faster shutdown resolutions.
Tradeoffs
This provision attempts to balance the desire for accountability with the constitutional requirement (27th Amendment) that congressional pay cannot be varied during a term. The escrow mechanism is designed to navigate this tension by delaying, rather than reducing, compensation.
Section 2(b)
Escrow for Congressional Salaries (Subsequent Congresses)
Starting with the 120th Congress, the same escrow mechanism for congressional salaries during government shutdowns will apply. Daily pay will be withheld and placed in escrow, to be released only when the shutdown ends or on the last day of the Congress during which the shutdown began. This extends the policy beyond the current Congress.
Section 3
Escrow for President and Vice President Salaries
During a government shutdown, the daily salaries of the President and Vice President will also be placed into an escrow account by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. These funds will be released only when the shutdown concludes or on the last day of their current term of office, ensuring they eventually receive their full compensation.
Section 4
Definition of Government Shutdown
This section defines a 'Government shutdown' for the purposes of this Act. It states that a shutdown is considered to be in effect if there is a lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution.