Members of Congress would lose one day of pay for each full shutdown day after the November 2026 election. Before then, their pay would be delayed in an escrow account, which means the money is held and paid later.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 10 - 0.
Latest action on H.R. 5891: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 10 - 0.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects Senators and House members. Their pay would be delayed during shutdowns before the November 2026 election and reduced during shutdowns after that election. House and Senate payroll officials would also have new work to track shutdown days, hold money in escrow, and process later payments. The Treasury Secretary would help with that work. Other federal workers and the public would not get new pay protections or service changes under this bill.
Why this matters: Shutdowns can disrupt services and worker pay, but lawmakers' own pay does not always change in the same way. This bill would tie Members of Congress' pay to shutdown days. After the 2026 election, shutdown days would mean lost pay for lawmakers, not just delayed pay. The bill may create more pressure to pass funding bills on time, but it does not guarantee that Congress would act differently.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
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Officially: Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act
Members of Congress would lose one day of pay for each full shutdown day after the November 2026 election. Before then, their pay would be delayed in an escrow account, which means the money is held and paid later.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR5891. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Administration
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
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Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (10/31/2025)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
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This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR5891, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
