Pass a constitutional amendment that would freeze the pay of the entire U.S. Congress in the event of a federal government shutdown.
Why is this important?
The 27th Amendment to the Constitution restricts any Congress from changing its own pay. The measure was proposed in the first days of the Republic but was not ratified until 1992, after a grass-roots movement promoted the idea and the necessary number of state legislatures approved it.
While many may have wanted to restrain Congress from increasing its pay, the amendment also blocks Congress from freezing or cutting its compensation.
It is time for another grass-roots movement to ensure that in a federal government shut down members of Congress are not getting paid while soldiers and other more essential federal employees must either work without pay or be furloughed.
Fair is fair.
