Failed to Uphold the Budget? Allowance: Reduced Act; FUBAR Act
Summary
H.R. 6692, the "Failed to Uphold the Budget? Allowance: Reduced Act" or "FUBAR Act," aims to reduce the pay of Members of Congress to one dollar per day during any lapse in appropriations due to a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution. This reduction would apply starting after the next regularly scheduled general election for Federal office. The bill seeks to incentivize Congress to avoid government shutdowns by directly impacting their salaries.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the FUBAR Act would financially penalize Members of Congress during government shutdowns. This could potentially encourage more timely budget agreements. However, the delayed effective date means it would not impact current budget cycles.
Potential Benefits
- Could incentivize Congress to avoid government shutdowns.
- May lead to more responsible budget negotiations.
- Potentially saves taxpayer money during lapses in appropriations.
- Could increase public trust in government accountability.
- Symbolically demonstrates that Congress shares the burden of government shutdowns.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May not be a sufficient deterrent for all members of Congress.
- Could lead to rushed or poorly negotiated budget agreements to avoid pay reduction.
- The delayed effective date reduces its immediate impact.
- Potential for unintended consequences in budget negotiations.
- May be perceived as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive solution.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is generally sound. Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 addresses Congressional compensation, but this bill doesn't violate it as it adjusts pay based on performance (avoiding shutdowns) rather than discriminating or denying pay altogether. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or protections.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).