H.J.Res.7 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation during a fiscal year unless both Houses of Congress have agreed to a concurrent resolution on the budget for that fiscal year prior to the beginning of that fiscal year. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.J.Res.7 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation during a fiscal year if a concurrent budget resolution has not been agreed upon by both houses before the start of that fiscal year. The resolution aims to incentivize Congress to complete the budget process on time. It requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states to become effective.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would likely lead to increased pressure on Congress to pass a budget resolution before the fiscal year begins. Failure to do so would result in members not being paid, potentially disrupting government operations. The amendment would apply to fiscal years beginning after its ratification.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Fiscal Responsibility: Could force Congress to be more disciplined in the budget process.
- Reduced Government Shutdowns: Might prevent government shutdowns caused by budget disagreements.
- Greater Accountability: Holds members of Congress accountable for timely budget decisions.
- Improved Public Trust: Could restore some public trust in Congress's ability to manage finances.
- Long-Term Financial Planning: May encourage more thoughtful and long-term fiscal planning.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Political Gridlock: Could exacerbate political gridlock if parties refuse to compromise.
- Unintended Consequences: Might lead to rushed or poorly considered budget resolutions.
- Disproportionate Impact: Could disproportionately affect members with lower personal wealth.
- Enforcement Challenges: Determining what constitutes 'compensation' could be subject to interpretation and legal challenges.
- Focus on Process over Substance: May prioritize meeting deadlines over creating effective budget policies.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution aligns with the constitutional framework by proposing an amendment according to Article V, which details the process for amending the Constitution. It does not directly conflict with any existing constitutional provisions. The amendment addresses the legislative process outlined in Article I, Section 7, which pertains to how bills become law, by adding a condition related to congressional compensation.
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).