Congressman Cory Mills Introduces the FUBAR Act, to Cut Congressional Pay When the Budget Isn’t Passed

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Cory Mills introduced new legislation to ensure Members of

Congress face real consequences when they fail to do their job and fund the federal

government on time.

The Failed to Uphold the Budget? Allowance: Reduced Act or the ''FUBAR Act," means

Members of Congress will earn virtually nothing from the first day of a government

shutdown through that congressional session. The name reflects what every service

member already knows: when something is "FUBAR," it's been mangled, broken, or

rendered useless.

Americans should never be held hostage while Washington plays partisan games with their

livelihoods. During the FY26 shutdown, service members, federal employees, welfare

recipients, and nonprofits were left without support, while Members of Congress continued

to collect full paychecks. The situation was absolutely unacceptable.

While previous efforts to strip congressional pay have run into constitutional concerns, the

FUBAR Act is specifically crafted to address both Article I, Section 6 limitations and 27th

Amendment restrictions surrounding changes to Member compensation. By extending the

pay reduction beyond the shutdown period itself, the bill increases the pressure on

lawmakers to prevent even short-term shutdowns that cause uncertainty and harm to the

American people.

"This bill is simple, if Congress can't do its job, Members shouldn't get paid. Period,"

Congressman Mills said. "Congress owes every American family accountability. The

American people deserve a government that delivers results, not partisan games and not a

Congress that rewards itself for failure."

The FUBAR Act reaffirms Congress' Article I responsibility to responsibly fund the federal

government and ensures Members cannot evade accountability while others bear the

consequences of inaction.