Since we launched POPVOX, Congressional accountability has been a theme — not only in the transparency that POPVOX offers — but in the motivations of our users. In 2008, in a narrow 207-206 vote, the House approved the creation of the Office of Congressional Ethics, “an independent, non-partisan entity charged with reviewing allegations of misconduct against Members, officers, and staff of the US House of Representatives.”
Interestingly, there are dozens of bills that Congress themselves have introduced with the intention of holding themselves accountable. However, the vast majority of these bills have yet to see a vote. Take a look and share your voice with POPVOX.
Bills Related to Congressional Pay
- HR 3160
Government Shutdown Fairness Act
To reduce the annual rate of pay of Members of Congress if a Government shutdown occurs during a year. This legislation would stop Members of Congress from receiving a salary in the event of a government shutdown.
- HR 325
No Budget, No Pay Act
Members of Congress would not be paid unless they passed a budget.
Passed by the House.
- HR 196
Congressional Pay Adjustments
To eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.
- HR 398
Congressional Halt in Pay Increases (CHIP IN) and Cut Congressional Pay Act
To reduce the rate of pay for Members of Congress by 10 percent and to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members.
109
- HR 150
Congressional Pay Reduction Act
To amend the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to reduce the rates of pay of Members of Congress by 5 percent and eliminate future cost-of-living adjustments in such rates of pay.
- HR 636
Congressional Pay Adjustments
To prohibit Members of Congress from receiving any automatic pay adjustments through the end of the 113th Congress.
- HR 54
Congressional Pay Freeze Act
To provide that no pay adjustment for Members of Congress shall be made with respect to any pay period occurring during the 113th Congress.
142
- HR 1467
Pay Cut for Congress Act
To reduce the annual rates of pay of Members of Congress by 20 percent and prohibit further adjustments to such rates.
383
Member Benefits
- HR 296
Congress is Not a Career Act
To allow Members of Congress to decline certain retirement benefits and contributions by the Federal Government.
- HR 3853
No Special Treatment for Members of Congress Act
To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prohibit Government contributions under the Federal employees health benefit program towards Exchange health insurance coverage of Members of Congress.
32
- HR 151
Termination of Lifelong Pensions for Members of Congress Act
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the termination of further retirement benefits for Members of Congress, except the right to continue participating in the Thrift Savings Plan.
151
- HR 2894
No Health Care for Life for Congress Act
“Should the Affordable Care Act be repealed, this legislation would prevent all members of Congress from receiving taxpayer funded health care benefits when they retire from Congress,” according to bill sponsor, Reid Ribble (WI-8).
25
- HR 2594
Revolving Door Pension Prevention Act
“Would prevent a former Member of Congress receiving compensation as a highly-paid lobbyist of a million dollars or more from concurrently receiving a federal pension funded by American taxpayers,” according to bill sponsor, Steve Israel (D-NY)
28
Term Limits
- HJRes 41
Term Limits
Proposing an amendment to the US Constitution relative to limiting the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
72
- SJRes 2
Term Limits
Proposing an amendment to the US Constitution relative to limiting the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
100
Monuments and Paintings
- HR 1826
No Monuments to Me Act
To prohibit the use of Federal funds for real property or for a project or program named for an individual then serving as a Member of Congress, including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress, or as President.
67
- HR 1594
Eliminating Government-funded Oil-painting Act
Bans taxpayer funds going to oil paintings for the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and Members of Congress, according to bill sponsor, Rep. Bill Cassidy (L -6)
38
Taxes
- HR 884
Members of Congress Tax Accountability Act
would require Members of Congress to disclose their delinquent tax liability, would require an ethics inquiry into that delinquency, and would garnish the wages of a Member with a delinquent federal tax liability, according to bill sponsor, Jason Chaffetz (R-UT-3).
32
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn’t imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we’re simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
