Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during Government shutdowns.
Summary
This document is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would require Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during government shutdowns. The forfeited amounts would be transferred to the Treasury's general fund to reduce the federal debt. Congress would have the power to enforce the article through legislation.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would prevent Members of Congress from receiving their salaries during government shutdowns caused by a failure to enact appropriations. This could incentivize Congress to avoid shutdowns. The forfeited pay would contribute to reducing the federal debt.
Potential Benefits
- Could incentivize Congress to avoid government shutdowns.
- Reduces the financial burden on taxpayers during shutdowns.
- Forfeited pay goes towards reducing the federal debt.
- May increase public trust in government by holding Congress accountable.
- Reinforces the importance of timely budget approvals.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May not be a sufficient deterrent to prevent all shutdowns.
- Could disproportionately affect members with lower personal wealth.
- Potential for unintended consequences or political maneuvering related to appropriations.
- Enforcement may require additional legislation, adding complexity.
- Could be seen as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive solution to budget disagreements.
Constitutional Alignment
The proposed amendment aligns with the Constitution's amendment process as outlined in Article V, which details how amendments can be proposed by Congress and ratified by the states. It also relates to Article I, Section 6, which addresses the compensation of Senators and Representatives, but seeks to modify it under specific circumstances (government shutdowns).
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).