Inaction Has Consequences Act

This bill delays pay for members of a chamber of Congress (House or Senate) if that chamber misses the deadline to pass all yearly spending bills. Starting with the 2026 fiscal year, if the bills aren’t all passed by the first day of the fiscal year, members’ paychecks are put into a separate account and paid later—either when the chamber finishes the bills or when that two-year Congress ends. Normal taxes and other deductions still apply while the money is held. Any remaining held pay must be released at the end of the Congress to follow constitutional rules. Delegates and the Resident Commissioner are included.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Members of the chamber that misses the deadline (including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner).
• What changes: Pay is held in an account and paid later if all annual spending bills aren’t passed on time; taxes/deductions still occur.
• When: Begins with fiscal year 2026; pay is released once the bills pass or at the end of that Congress.