119-SJRES-94 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary of S.J.Res. 94 (119th Congress)

Headline Summary: Stop paying Members of Congress during federal government shutdowns; any forfeited pay goes to the U.S. Treasury to reduce the national debt.

What It Does: This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment. During any lapse in federal funding (a shutdown), Members of Congress would forfeit their compensation for the duration of the shutdown. The forfeited amounts would be transferred to the Treasury’s general fund and applied to debt reduction. Congress could pass laws to enforce these rules.

• Who’s For It:
• • Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R‑SC), who introduced the resolution on October 29, 2025.
• • Supporters frame it as accountability—lawmakers shouldn’t be paid when the government is closed.
• • They argue it aligns incentives to avoid shutdowns and symbolizes fiscal responsibility by directing forfeited salaries to debt reduction.

• Who’s Against It:
• • Critics say it doesn’t reopen agencies or protect federal workers and services; it only targets congressional pay.
• • It could disadvantage less‑wealthy members and risk more brinkmanship by turning shutdowns into political theater.
• • The fiscal impact is likely small compared with the national debt, making the measure more symbolic than substantive.

What’s Next: As of October 31, 2025, the resolution has been read twice and is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Because it is a constitutional amendment, it would need two‑thirds approval in both the Senate and the House and ratification by three‑fourths of state legislatures. The President does not sign constitutional amendments.