House Advances Bill to Withhold Pay in Shutdowns

The U.S. House Administration Committee unanimously advanced H.R. 5891, a bipartisan bill to withhold lawmakers' pay during government shutdowns, voting 10-0 to report an amended version of the measure. Led by Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), the legislation directs House and Senate payroll administrators to deduct one day's salary for each day of a funding lapse affecting any agency. This step tees up potential full House consideration amid ongoing debates over federal funding.[5][1]

Similar "no pay" proposals have gained traction before, including the No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act backed by Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and the No Budget, No Pay Act supported by Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio). These bills aim to pressure Congress to avoid shutdowns by ensuring members share the financial pain felt by furloughed workers, though past versions faced constitutional hurdles under Article I, which guarantees lawmakers' compensation. The current push follows a partial funding lapse lasting over a month, with committees opting for an "amendment in the nature of a substitute" to overhaul the original text efficiently.[3][1][2][4]

For Milwaukee residents, this matters as shutdowns ripple through Wisconsin's economy, delaying pay for federal workers at local bases like Fort McCoy and straining services from the IRS to disaster aid via FEMA. Wisconsin families felt the pinch during the 43-day shutdown last year, with backlogged benefits and travel disruptions; holding Congress accountable could incentivize faster budget deals to protect everyday livelihoods.[5][9]

The bill now awaits full House action, where political and constitutional questions could stall it, especially with a DHS funding deadline looming and partisan fights over immigration reforms. If passed, it would signal growing momentum for ethics reforms in Washington.[5][7]