Proposed 'FUBAR Act' Cuts Congressional Pay to $1 During Government Shutdowns

The proposed “Failed to Uphold the Budget? Allowance: Reduced Act”—or the “FUBAR Act”—is a straight shot at holding Congress financially accountable for government shutdowns. This bill mandates that if Congress fails to pass a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution, leading to a funding lapse for any federal agency, the pay for every Member of Congress drops to just one dollar per day.

The $1-a-Day Penalty Box

Right now, when the government shuts down, essential federal workers are often forced to work without pay, and non-essential employees are furloughed, leading to major financial stress for thousands of families. Meanwhile, Members of Congress continue to draw their regular salaries. The FUBAR Act aims to change that by directly hitting lawmakers in the wallet. According to Section 2, the $1 daily pay rate kicks in on the first day of the shutdown and lasts until the last day of that congressional session. The idea is simple: if you fail to do your job—passing a budget—you don't get paid your regular rate.

Accountability vs. Quick Fixes

While the goal of increased accountability is something most people can get behind, the bill creates a tricky situation. The financial pressure on Members of Congress to restore their $174,000 annual salary (around $476 per day) is intense. This could potentially incentivize them to prioritize speed over quality, meaning they might rush through a poorly vetted, short-term funding measure just to end the shutdown and get their paychecks back. For the average person, this means the risk of Congress passing a bad deal just to save their own bottom line, rather than negotiating a comprehensive, stable budget that actually works for the country.

The Delayed Start Button

One detail that stands out is the effective date. This pay reduction rule won't apply immediately. Instead, it only applies to shutdowns that happen after the next regularly scheduled general election for federal office. Delaying the start date significantly mitigates the immediate pressure this bill is supposed to create. It essentially kicks the can down the road, meaning the current members who vote on this bill won’t feel the heat until after they’ve faced the voters again. For those of us juggling bills and dealing with the real-world chaos of government shutdowns, it’s fair to wonder why the accountability measure isn't effective immediately.