# 119-sjres-94: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during Government shutdowns.

119-sjres-94, A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during Government shutdowns., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] (R-SC); status introduced (as of 2026-08-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sjres-94
- As of: 2026-08-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sjres-94
- Congress: 119
- Title: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to forfeit their compensation during Government shutdowns.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-10-29
- Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] (R-SC)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Congress
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-11

## Summary

**Withhold congressional pay during funding gaps.** This amendment would target Members' pay for periods when federal appropriations lapse. - Members of Congress: Would forfeit and not receive compensation for any period when a lapse in federal appropriations is caused by a failure to enact regular or continuing appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments. - Federal finances: Amounts forfeited under the amendment must be transferred to the Treasury general fund and used to reduce the federal debt. - Enforcement: The amendment gives Congress the power to enforce this article by passing appropriate legislation. *Would direct forfeited congressional pay into the Treasury general fund to reduce federal debt.*

## Provisions PRIA read

- Cut Congress pay during shutdowns: cost, low. This bill would propose a constitutional amendment requiring Members of Congress to forfeit pay during any lapse in appropriations. A lapse in appropriations means a shutdown when Congress fails to pass funding for one or more federal agencies. Any pay forfeited during that period would be transfer…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-sconres-33: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetar…
- 119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-4065: STAND with Taiwan Act of 2026
- 119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-sjres-94 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/94)

## Related
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-sconres-33: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United S…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sconres-33)
- [119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-688)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-4065: STAND with Taiwan Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4065)
- [119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-292)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sjres-94 (as of 2026-08-11).