I've seen several petitions lately to stop Congressional pay until they pass a budget. This violates the 27th Amendment. However, with a 2/3 vote of Congress and 3/4 of the State Legislatures WE can amend the Amendment as follows:
Introduction. The primary function of Congress is to create and approve the Budget for the United States Government. Therefore, the members of Congress from the Several States have not earned their salaries until and unless there is a functioning budget for the United States. So be it Resolved that the 27th Amendment to this Constitution is Amended as follows:
Article 1. On October 1 of every year, or other date as amended by Statute, if a Budget for the Government of the United States has not been approved by the Congress and signed by the President, the following effects are automatically triggered:
A.) All Congressional salaries are suspended until such a Budget has been approved by Congress and signed by the President.
B) The Salaries of all Congressional and Congressional Committee staffs shall be halved until such a Budget is approved.
C) Congress Shall Not Recess nor take up any other Business untill such a Budget shall have been approved.
Article 2. In the Absence of Such Budget, the President shall have the authority to:
A) Continue all functions of Government as He or She shall deem Necessary and Proper until such a Budget is sent to His or Her Office for Signature or Veto.
B) If the President shall Veto such a Budget submitted by Congress, the Salary of the President and all Cabinet officers Shall be Suspended until such a Budget shall have been passed over the Presidential Veto or a different Budget acceptable to the President shall have been signed.
Article 3. This proposed Amendment shall not expire until and shall be available to the Legislatures or Constitutional Conventions of the Several States until Ratified.
