Stop Holding Up Taxpayers, Deny wages On Washington’s Negligence Act; SHUTDOWN Act
Summary
The SHUTDOWN Act proposes amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a daily tax on members of Congress during any lapse in government appropriations. The tax would be a percentage of the member's wages, proportional to the number of days the lapse occurs during the taxable year. This aims to incentivize Congress to avoid government shutdowns.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would financially penalize members of Congress during government shutdowns. This could potentially encourage more timely agreement on appropriations bills and continuing resolutions. The tax revenue generated is not specified for any particular purpose.
Potential Benefits
- Could incentivize Congress to avoid government shutdowns.
- May lead to more responsible budget negotiations.
- Could increase public trust by holding Congress accountable.
- Potentially generate additional tax revenue (though unspecified use).
- Addresses public frustration with government shutdowns.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May not be effective if members of Congress are willing to accept the tax as a cost of political strategy.
- Could lead to unintended consequences in budget negotiations.
- Potential legal challenges regarding the fairness or constitutionality of the tax.
- Could disproportionately affect members with lower incomes or higher expenses.
- May be perceived as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive solution.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality could be debated. Article I, Section 6, Clause 2 states that Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. This bill could be argued as altering that compensation in a punitive way. However, Congress has broad power to tax under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1.
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).