Requiring the House of Representatives to convene and hold recorded quorum calls during a Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
H. Res. 802 would require the House of Representatives to actively meet every day a federal government shutdown is in effect and to restrict long adjournments or recesses during those days. It also would mandate that, on days the House is in session during a shutdown, all Members record their presence via electronic quorum calls. The resolution creates an enforcement regime: fines for failing to record presence (initially $500, escalating to $2,500 for subsequent offenses), notifications to key officials, and a process for appealing fines through the House Ethics Committee. Fines can be deducted from a Member’s salary after a 90-day window if unpaid, and may not be paid with campaign or official funds. The measure defines a shutdown broadly and applies to all Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner. It sets but does not alter other House business outside the rules proposed, and directs procedural oversight by several House bodies. In short, the resolution aims to increase attendance and accountability during shutdown periods by mandating daily House meetings, recording presence, and imposing financial penalties for noncompliance, with a formal review process for any disputes. Sponsor and process note: The measure was introduced by Rep. Moskowitz with a broad group of co-sponsors and referred to the Rules Committee and the House Administration Committee for consideration.
Key Points
- 1Daily convening during a government shutdown and restrictions on adjournment/recess: The Speaker must convene the House each day a shutdown is in effect, and motions to adjourn or recess are limited unless specific conditions are met (the House has met on the first 5 consecutive days of shutdown, any adjournment/recess lasts no more than 2 days, and there have been at least 5 consecutive days of meeting since the last adjournment/recess).
- 2Mandatory recorded quorum calls: On days the House is in session during a shutdown, Members must record their presence electronically through quorum calls.
- 3Fines for failure to record presence: The Sergeant-at-Arms may impose fines if a Member fails to record presence on two or more consecutive days, with $500 for the first offense and $2,500 for subsequent offenses (including notification to key officials and public disclosure).
- 4Appeals and enforcement: Members may appeal fines to the Committee on Ethics within a defined period; the Ethics Committee has a set window to decide, and the Speaker must notify relevant parties and publicly disclose outcomes. Fines can be deducted from pay if unpaid after 90 days, and may not be paid with campaign or official funds.
- 5Definitions and scope: A government shutdown is defined broadly as a lapse in appropriations due to failure to enact regular appropriations or a continuing resolution, and the measure extends to Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, not just voting Members.