S.J.Res. 94 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Oct 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryCongress forfeits pay during government shutdowns
This proposes a constitutional amendment that would require Members of Congress to stop receiving their paychecks whenever the federal government shuts down due to a failure to pass spending bills. Any money they forfeit would go directly to the U.S. Treasury to help pay down the national debt.
How it affects you
This would directly affect Members of Congress, who would lose their compensation during shutdowns. For most Americans, the main effect would be symbolic—it could change how Congress approaches shutdown negotiations—but the official summary doesn't spell out other direct impacts on individuals or the broader economy.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Oct 29, 2025)
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that requires Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during a government shutdown.
Specifically, the amendment provides that Members of Congress must forfeit (and may not receive) any compensation for their services during any period in which there is a lapse in appropriations as a result of a failure to enact regular or continuing appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments (i.e., government shutdown).
Any funds that are forfeited under the amendment must be transferred to the Treasury and used to reduce the federal debt.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS.J.Res. 94
JOINT RESOLUTION
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during Government shutdowns.
Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) · Introduced Oct 29, 2025 · Congress · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 29, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”