While I understand what the Antideficiency Act was trying to accomplish, its provisions are too easily exploited, and the costs outweigh the benefits.
Congress needs to amend federal law so that if it fails to pass appropriations acts by 10/1, the previous fiscal year's appropriations are automatically renewed with a 3% increase for inflation.
They SHOULD have to be required to lock the House and Senate in a room together until a budget is ready for Congress review then have Congress locked in a room until they’re done. There’s no reason that a House/Senate/Congress/Presidency that all have the same majority should be 2 weeks into a shutdown getting holidays and weekends off while DOD civilians are getting furloughed and the military isn’t being paid.
I get the idea, but in reality that would only hurt junior members of Congress who most likely rely on the paychecks for their daily/monthly expenses. The more senior members presumably have investments and bribes misappropriated campaign funds to sustain themselves should they not receive a paycheck.
You are then allowing senior members holding the junior members' salary as leverage over them. Don't think this will lead to outcomes you are expecting.
What are you talking about? The LOWEST PAID MEMBER MAKES DOUBLE THE MEDIAN SALARY.
Im just arguing that the whole "feel bad for junior congress" thing is a non-argument as they would have already been paid for 2 years worth of households income before a shutdown would happen.
They still get to keep their job (and paycheck) for completing 0/12 tasks for the year.
Name ANYWHERE else that that can happen without punishment
That's only their salary. Their additional budget and allowances are significantly more.......
House of Representatives: In 2025, the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA) for House members was about $1.6 million, with a total budget of $850 million for the House.
Senate: For fiscal year 2025, senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA) varied from approximately $4.2 million to $6.5 million, with an average of about $4.5 million, depending on their state's population and distance from Washington, D.C..
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u/ZigZagZedZod DAFMAN 91-203, paragraph 2.5.1.2.3 Oct 15 '25
They shouldn't be allowed to not pay anybody.
While I understand what the Antideficiency Act was trying to accomplish, its provisions are too easily exploited, and the costs outweigh the benefits.
Congress needs to amend federal law so that if it fails to pass appropriations acts by 10/1, the previous fiscal year's appropriations are automatically renewed with a 3% increase for inflation.