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This bill would add a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that stops members of Congress from getting their pay for a fiscal year unless both the House and Senate agree on the same budget plan for that year before the year starts. In plain terms, it ties lawmakers’ compensation to Congress doing its basic budgeting work on time. The change would only take effect if three‑quarters of the states ratify the amendment within seven years. Once ratified, it would apply to fiscal years that begin after the amendment becomes part of the Constitution.
- It requires both the House and the Senate to pass an identical concurrent budget resolution for a given fiscal year before that fiscal year begins; otherwise members do not receive pay for that year.
- The proposal is a constitutional amendment, so it must be approved by two‑thirds of both chambers in Congress and then ratified by three‑quarters of the states within seven years to become effective.
- Once added to the Constitution, the rule applies only to fiscal years that start after the amendment is in force.
- The main intent is to create a strong incentive for timely budget agreement by withholding pay, rather than changing how budgets are written or what must be in them.
Official Summaries
This joint resolution proposes amending the Constitution to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation unless both chambers have agreed to a fiscal year budget prior to the start of the fiscal year.
The joint resolution provides that the amendment shall be valid when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification. The amendment applies beginning in the fiscal year after the amendment is ratified and becomes a valid part of the Constitution.
Under Article V of the Constitution, both chambers of Congress may propose an amendment by a vote of two-thirds of all Members present for such vote. A proposed amendment must be ratified by the states as prescribed in Article V and as specified by Congress.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 7 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Fitzpatrick submitted the following joint resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
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.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House
concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when
ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States
within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
``Article--
``Section 1. A Member of Congress may not receive a compensation
for service as a Member of Congress during a fiscal year unless both
Houses of Congress have agreed to an identical concurrent resolution on
the budget for that fiscal year prior to the beginning of that fiscal
year.
``Section 2. This article shall apply with respect to fiscal years
which begin after this article becomes a valid part of the
Constitution.''.
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