# Plain Language Summary: No Budget, No Pay Act

This bill creates a financial penalty for Congress if they fail to do their basic budgeting work on time. Specifically, if Congress hasn't approved a budget plan and passed all the regular spending bills by October 1st of each fiscal year, members of Congress would stop receiving their paychecks starting that date. The pay would remain withheld for every day the budget and spending bills remain unpassed. Once Congress finally completes both tasks, the paychecks would resume—but here's the catch: members cannot receive back pay for the days they missed. The money is simply gone.

The bill applies to all members of Congress (senators and representatives) except the Vice President. The determination of whether Congress has met the deadline falls to the budget and appropriations committee leaders in both chambers. On October 1st each year, these leaders would certify whether Congress is in compliance, and if not, they'd calculate how many days of missed paychecks apply. This creates a direct financial incentive for lawmakers to stop delaying budget negotiations and get their work done before the fiscal year begins.

The practical effect is straightforward: Congress members have a personal financial stake in finishing their budget work on time. Instead of the current system where budget delays sometimes drag on for months with temporary spending measures, this bill makes the pain immediate and personal. If you're a member of Congress and your chamber hasn't passed the budget and all spending bills by October 1st, you don't get paid starting that day. The bill would take effect on February 1, 2024, if passed.