Freshman Rep. John James (R-MI) has proposed a bill that would prevent members of Congress from getting paid in the event of a government shutdown.

“I think the Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is bill - ensuring that if politicians don't work, politicians don't get paid,” James told Fox News. "I think it's essential to really get folks in D.C. to refocus on the priorities, which is doing things that work for people back home.”

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James, who narrowly beat his Democratic opponent in 2022 and is currently representing Michigan's 10th Congressional District, pointed to 25% of his district living below the poverty line.

“And now you have politicians who are making over $175,000 a year to shut down the government and hurt people back home,” James said. “That's not acceptable. There needs to be accountability, there needs to be transparency. We need to have action out of our politicians in D.C.”

While federal funding isn't set to run out until the end of September, the House of Representatives is in its August recess and will be out for six weeks, returning on Sept. 12.

Congress entered the recess as concerns over whether or not they will be able to pass policy changes and spending bills needed to fund government agencies mount. James said he hoped this bill would motivate his colleagues to avoid a shutdown, urging Congress to “do better.”

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“I'm confident that we're going to come together, we're going to unify, and we're gonna pass the most conservative legislation that can be signed into law,” James said.

“I'm willing to work with anyone, especially starting with my colleagues, my Republican colleagues,” James said. “But we need to absolutely make sure that we keep services going for the American people who are counting on us to do our job.”