SHUTDOWN Act Stop Holding Up Taxpayers, Deny wages On Washington’s Negligence Act
Impact
If enacted, this bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, specifically implementing a daily tax on individual Congress members for every day they remain in office during a lapse in appropriations. The tax is calculated as a percentage of their applicable wages, effectively creating a financial disincentive for members of Congress to allow funding gaps that can lead to government shutdowns. This bill also seeks to formalize the definitions of key terms such as 'Member of Congress' and 'lapse in appropriations', allowing for clearer legal implications.
Summary
SB2973, known as the 'SHUTDOWN Act' or the 'Stop Holding Up Taxpayers, Deny wages On Washington’s Negligence Act', aims to impose a daily tax on members of Congress during periods when there is a lapse in appropriations. This legislation is designed to hold Congress accountable for government shutdowns by directly impacting their wages during times when federal funding is not secured. The rationale is to instill a sense of urgency and responsibility among legislators to ensure timely appropriations.
Contention
The notable point of contention surrounding SB2973 revolves around whether it is an effective measure for increasing accountability in Congress or whether it unfairly penalizes lawmakers, impacting their ability to serve effectively. Critics may argue that this could lead to counterproductive legislative behavior, where Congress members prioritize personal financial safety over the in-depth consideration of budget and appropriations discussions. Proponents contend that such a measure could reduce the frequency of shutdowns, as lawmakers would be more incentivized to come to agreements swiftly to avoid taxation.
This joint resolution proposes constitutional amendments that (1) authorize the President to reduce or disapprove any appropriation in a bill or joint resolution using a line-item veto; (2) prohibit Members of Congress from serving more than six terms in the House of Representatives or two terms in the Senate; and (3) prohibit a chamber of Congress from agreeing to legislation that imposes, authorizes, or raises any tax or fee unless the legislation contains no other subject and is agreed to by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the chamber.