Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) plans to introduce two pieces of legislation aimed at withholding Congressional lawmakers’ salaries during government shutdowns, according to Breitbart. One bill, titled the “No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act,” would stop paychecks for lawmakers for every day the government remains shut down. The other, the “Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act,” would place lawmakers’ paychecks in escrow until after the next election in November 2026.
Kennedy said these bills are designed so that Congress experiences the same financial hardship as federal employees, air traffic controllers, and military personnel who go unpaid during shutdowns, according to Fox News. He emphasized that withholding congressional salaries is not a bargaining tactic, but a matter of fairness.
“I don’t see missing paychecks or empty dinner plates as leverage or bargaining chips,” Kennedy said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “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.”
The U.S. Constitution’s Article 1, Section 6 mandates that Senators and Representatives receive compensation for their service, paid out by law from the Treasury, and the 27th Amendment prevents changes in Congressional pay from taking effect until after a new election.
Representative Bryan Steil (R-WI), who is reportedly carrying the second bill in the House, supports Kennedy’s effort, stating that if essential workers and military members must work without pay, then members of Congress should also be unpaid during shutdowns.
Kennedy addressed the Senate about the ongoing shutdown, acknowledging rumors of resolutions but expressing skepticism that an agreement is near. He highlighted the severe impact on unpaid federal workers and staff, noting federal employees have borrowed $365 million so far just to cover rent, and that air traffic controllers and parts of the military remain only partially paid.
The shutdown’s effects have extended so far as to cause the FAA to halt flights at some major airports due to staff shortages and prompted warnings that certain airspace may close if the shutdown continues.
Notably, billionaire Timothy Mellon previously donated $130 million to keep military salaries flowing during the shutdown. President Trump had earlier directed the Secretary of War to use all available funds to ensure troops are paid on October 15.
Congressional staff have also been affected, missing their paychecks at the end of October, and roughly 42 million Americans dependent on SNAP benefits have faced reduced payments due to the shutdown.
This legislation from Kennedy seeks to hold lawmakers financially accountable during shutdowns, aligning their pay status with the struggles endured by federal workers and essential personnel through this prolonged government shutdown.