Bills · S 2973
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2973Taxation
SHUTDOWN Act
INTRO OCT 3· LAST ACTION OCT 3
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because government shutdowns can cause significant disruptions, halting essential services, delaying pay for federal workers, and creating economic uncertainty. Currently, members of Congress continue to receive their full salaries during a shutdown, while many federal employees are furloughed or work without pay.
If this bill becomes law, it would create a direct financial incentive for lawmakers to reach agreements on funding bills more quickly, potentially reducing the frequency or duration of future government shutdowns. Voters should care because more stable government operations mean less disruption to public services and the economy. If it doesn't pass, the status quo remains, where members of Congress's pay is not directly impacted by their failure to fund the government.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Imposes a daily tax on all Members of Congress during any period when there is a 'lapse in appropriations' (a government shutdown).
This directly links a lawmaker's personal finances to their failure to fund the government, creating a disincentive for shutdowns.
PROVISION 02
The tax amount is calculated as a percentage of a Member's congressional wages, proportional to the duration of the shutdown within their service period for the year.
This ensures the tax is financially significant and scales with the length of time Congress fails to pass funding.
PROVISION 03
Defines 'lapse in appropriations' as any period where a regular appropriation bill or continuing resolution is not in effect for any federal agency.
This clearly specifies the trigger for the tax, encompassing any scenario that leads to a government shutdown.
PROVISION 04
The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
This sets a clear effective date for when the new tax provisions would begin.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Ohio
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
29
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSOCT 3
Introduced in Senate
OCT 3
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 2973
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedOct 3, 2025
Last actionOct 3, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED OCT 3, 2025
Senate BillS 2973Taxation
SHUTDOWN Act
INTRODUCED OCT 3, 2025· LAST ACTION OCT 3, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
