Contact Congress about H.R. 5891: 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.

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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.

Key provisions in H.R. 5891

• A shutdown would count when funding runs out for one or more federal agencies or departments. The bill calls that a "government shutdown."
• House and Senate payroll officials would cut lawmakers' pay after the November 2026 election. They would subtract one day of salary for each full 24-hour shutdown period in a pay period.
• The bill sets a start date for real pay cuts. That date is tied to the regular federal general election in November 2026.
• Before that start date, lawmakers would not lose the money for good. Payroll officials would hold back the same daily amounts and place them in an escrow account, which means the money is kept aside for later payment.
• All escrow money would have to be paid to lawmakers on the pay cut start date. This is meant to avoid breaking the 27th Amendment, which limits changes to congressional pay during the current Congress.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5891

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.

Questions people ask about H.R. 5891

What is H.R. 5891?

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.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 5891?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 5891?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5891 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.