Current:Home > Contact-usAs Congress limps toward government shutdown, some members champion punitive legislation to prevent future impasses-InfoLens
As Congress limps toward government shutdown, some members champion punitive legislation to prevent future impasses
View Date:2024-12-23 20:08:27
One idea is for Congress to cut off its own pay.
Another would require the U.S. House and Senate to work continuous seven-day work weeks until a resolution.
As Washington barrels toward a possible federal government shutdown, some members of Congress are proposing and advocating for legislation to make federal spending impasses more painful — for Congress.
Though the bills stand little chance of becoming law before the looming Oct. 1 deadline to avert a federal government shutdown, members of Congress are championing the proposals, which they hope will help avert future last-minute spending negotiations.
"It's pretty straightforward. The basic element of our job is to govern," Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Democrat of Virginia, said. "If we are unable to fund the government, at the very least we shouldn't be getting paid."
In May, as Congress faced the prospect of a debt default, Spanberger and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Pennsylvania, introduced the "No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act," which would block the pay of members of Congress if the public debt limit is reached or a federal government shutdown occurs.
On Wednesday, Rep. Angie Craig, Democrat of Minnesota, formally announced her own version of such a bill.
Other House members are scheduled on Thursday to announce the formal introduction of similar bills to strip Congress of pay during shutdowns.
Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, has been seeking a vote on his own version of shutdown prevention legislation. His bill, dubbed the "Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023," would prohibit Congress from taking a break or returning home if they miss a deadline to pass spending legislation.
"There are hard adult conversations [about spending] that need to happen," Lankford told CBS News. "But having a government shutdown and imposing hardship on other people is not the way to do it."
A pair of Democratic lawmakers representing Virginia have introduced separate legislation that would also prohibit Congress from recessing or shifting to other business if it fails to meet a deadline to pass its spending bills. Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Don Beyer, who collectively represent at least 100,000 federal workers, have dubbed their bill the "End Shutdowns Act." The legislation would also require Congress to revert to prior spending levels in the case of a shutdown to ensure federal agencies can still function.
"It's almost 'reverse leverage.' It takes away shut down as leverage," Kaine told CBS News. "And it takes away these hostage-taking techniques."
Beyer said the legislation would help Congress better focus as spending bill deadlines approach. He told CBS News, "Basically all our efforts should be to just find a resolution to this conflict and get our government funded."
As part of his advocacy for his legislation, Beyer on Wednesday released letters from some of his constituents who are worried about the prospects of a shutdown. One letter said there is concern about "families facing difficulty paying their rent, mortgages or other bills."
Another letter from a federal contractor in Virginia asked, "Do I borrow money or do I layoff my hard-working employees?"
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents tens of thousands of federal workers, has urged Congress to be more aggressive about avoiding shutdown deadlines. Everett Kelley, the union's national president, said he's been urging his members to call Congress to advocate for an end to the impasse and new protections to avert shutdowns.
He told CBS News that 60% of Americans live "paycheck to paycheck. Just imagine payday with no paycheck."
Scott MacFarlaneScott MacFarlane is a congressional correspondent for CBS News, reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.
TwitterveryGood! (81)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reacts to Rumors Dave Portnoy Paid Her $10 Million for a Zach Bryan Tell-All
- Vegas man charged with threats to officials including judge, prosecutor in Trump hush money trial
- Simone Biles will attempt a new gymnastics skill on uneven bars at Olympics. What to know
- Leagues Cup soccer schedule: How to watch, what to know about today's opening games
- Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
- Water Polo's official hype man Flavor Flav wants to see women win fourth gold
- Sophia Bush, Zendaya, more looks from Louis Vuitton event ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics: See photos
- Judge takes final step to overturn Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE Act’
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
- This Mars rock could show evidence of life. Here's what Perseverance rover found.
Ranking
- Ariana Grande's Brunette Hair Transformation Is a Callback to Her Roots
- French rail system crippled before start of Olympics: See where attacks occurred
- Judge strikes down one North Carolina abortion restriction but upholds another
- Ukraine’s Olympic athletes competing to uplift country amid war with Russia
- The White Stripes drop lawsuit against Donald Trump over 'Seven Nation Army' use
- The Daily Money: Back-to-school financial blues
- Harris will carry Biden’s economic record into the election. She hopes to turn it into an asset
- Olympics opening ceremony: Highlights, replay, takeaways from Paris
Recommendation
-
When does Spirit Christmas open? What to know about Spirit Halloween’s new holiday venture
-
7 additional Red Lobster restaurants have closed, bringing total to at least 106: See list
-
Leagues Cup soccer schedule: How to watch, what to know about today's opening games
-
Five American candidates who could light cauldron at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
-
Kentucky officer reprimanded for firing non-lethal rounds in 2020 protests under investigation again
-
Flicker into Fall With 57% Discounts on Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candles
-
Gymnastics' two-per-country Olympics rule created for fairness. Has it worked?
-
Why does Greece go first at the Olympics? What to know about parade of nations tradition