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FIRST ON FOX: A Republican senator is advocating for a measure that would suspend congressional salaries while federal employees endure unpaid work during the ongoing government shutdown.
As the nation faces its 35th day of shutdown, a significant number of federal workers, including air traffic controllers, have either received minimal pay or missed their paychecks entirely. In contrast, members of Congress, under the Constitution, are required to receive compensation despite the government being closed.
While some lawmakers have voluntarily stated they would not accept their pay, others have introduced legislative efforts aimed at ensuring their colleagues also go without compensation.
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Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana is taking action in this regard. He has proposed two different bills to prevent congressional pay during the shutdown while addressing constitutional concerns.
Kennedy emphasized the importance of solidarity with federal workers, stating, “I don’t view missing paychecks or empty dinner plates as leverage or bargaining chips. My bills guarantee Congress shares the hardship faced by our service members, air traffic controllers, and federal employees. If we are unable to perform our duties and fund the government, we lose the right to receive a paycheck — plain and simple.”
One proposal, titled the “No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act,” aims to prevent lawmakers from receiving any salary for every day the federal government remains shut down. On average, congressional members earn around $174,000 annually, though this figure can vary based on leadership roles.
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Kennedy’s initiative faces obstacles due to constitutional requirements. Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution states that “Senators and Representatives shall receive Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.”
Moreover, the 27th Amendment, ratified in 1992, prohibits Congress from enacting legislation that influences its pay during the current congressional term.
This is where Kennedy’s second bill, the “Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act,” becomes relevant. This measure aims to circumvent the constraints of the 27th Amendment by not cutting salaries outright. Instead, it proposes to place congressional pay in escrow until after the elections in November 2026.
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The bill is also being supported in the House by Representative Bryan Steil from Wisconsin, who stated, “If service members, federal law enforcement personnel, and other vital employees are working without pay during this shutdown, members of Congress should be held to the same standard.”
Kennedy’s legislative efforts are part of a broader push to ensure lawmakers do not profit while the government is unable to function.
In addition to Kennedy’s measures, Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio has introduced legislation proposing a tax that mirrors Kennedy’s plan and that would accumulate daily increases for each session the Senate is held. This approach aims to create a financial penalty for lawmakers during shutdown periods.
Additionally, Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina recently proposed a constitutional amendment that would require members of Congress to forfeit their paychecks. The funds collected would subsequently be redirected to the U.S. Treasury for the purpose of mitigating the national debt.
It is important to note that advancing a constitutional amendment necessitates the approval of two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states.
The current discussions and proposed legislation represent critical moves to align congressional accountability with the ongoing challenges faced by federal employees during the shutdown. The urgency for resolution has never been clearer, as federal workers bear the burden of lost wages while lawmakers continue to earn their salaries in the midst of a governmental impasse. The actions taken by legislators like Kennedy may resonate with constituents, reflecting a growing call for fairness and accountability in congressional compensation practices.
