Bresnahan Unveils No Taxation Without Operation Act to End Washington’s Double Standard

WASHINGTON, DC: On Monday, the sixth day of the government shutdown, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) introduced H.R. 5695, the No Taxation Without Operation Act, legislation that prevents the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from taking American’s hard-earned money while the rest of the government is not delivering on their services.

“In yet another ridiculous double standard, when Washington shuts down essential services for American families, it still holds onto the authority to tax them,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “If partisan politics prevents Congress from meeting the most basic obligation to the American people, why should they be asked to meet their obligation to the taxman?”

When a lapse in appropriations forces a shutdown, the federal government loses the authority to fully operate and provide services. Yet, its authority to collect taxes continues uninterrupted. The No Taxation Without Operation Act will prevent the IRS from collecting federal income tax throughout the duration of a partial or full government shutdown and place a freeze on any penalties or interest accrued during this period. It also protects any federal workers and contractors who are furloughed or working without pay by exempting their backpay from federal income tax liability when the government reopens.

The No Taxation Without Operation Act reflects Rep. Bresnahan’s commitment to standing up for taxpayer fairness and holding Washington accountable when it fails to do its job.

Rep. Bresnahan voted for H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, which would extend government funding through November 21, 2025. This continuing resolution (CR) currently sits with the U.S. Senate.

“I voted to keep the government open,” continued Rep. Bresnahan. “However, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats chose to play politics with Americans’ paychecks and government resources. Regardless, I will keep working for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania to reopen the government, protect the services they rely on, and help them keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.”

In addition to introducing the No Taxation Without Operation Act, Rep. Bresnahan has taken the following actions:

• Refusing his government pay for the duration of the shutdown.
• Cosponsored H.R. 1973, No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act, which would mandate that if Congress fails to fund the government, lawmakers’ salaries will be immediately and automatically withheld.
• Cosponsored H.R. 5130, Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, which would implement automatic short term continuing resolutions while requiring all members of Congress to stay in D.C. and pass spending bills.
• Cosponsored H.R. 5401, Pay Our Troops Act, which would ensure members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Coast Guard, continue receiving pay and benefits in the event of a government shutdown. Rep. Bresnahan is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
• Cosponsored H.R. 5260, Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act, which would authorize pay for U.S. Border Patrol and officers of the Office of Field Operations who are required to work during a government shutdown.
• Cosponsored H.R. 5398, Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026, which ensures key Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel continue to receive pay during a government shutdown.
• Cosponsored H.R. 5455, Aviation Funding Stability Act, which ensures our nation’s air traffic controllers and essential safety personnel who work at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are paid during a shutdown.

You can read the full text of the No Taxation Without Operation Act here.

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