URGENT UPDATE: U.S. lawmakers are taking decisive action amid the unprecedented government shutdown that began on October 1, 2023. In a move aimed at making shutdowns as painful for Congress as they are for federal workers, several bills have been introduced to cut lawmakers’ pay during these critical periods.
With the government shutdown now stretching into record territory, hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed without pay, while others, including essential personnel like air traffic controllers, are working without compensation. Meanwhile, Congress continues to receive their salaries, prompting outrage and calls for change.
Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has introduced the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act, which would deduct pay for each day Congress remains in a shutdown. Similarly, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has proposed a constitutional amendment that would suspend pay for lawmakers during shutdowns, directing any forfeited pay to the U.S. Treasury to help reduce the national debt. “If Members of Congress had to forfeit their pay during government shutdowns, there would be fewer shutdowns and they would end quicker,” Graham stated.
In the House, Representatives Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), and Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) have introduced the No Work, No Pay Act of 2025 and the No Pay for Disarray Act to ensure that Congress members receive no pay as long as the shutdown continues. The salary for most lawmakers is currently $174,000 annually, which translates to over $1,000 lost per workday during a shutdown, should these bills pass.
Adding to the urgency, Representative Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) has introduced the Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act, which would also suspend pay for the President and Vice President during shutdowns. The ongoing crisis has drawn attention from President Donald Trump, who expressed frustration with Senate Republicans, urging them to “Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!”
As negotiations show little progress, bipartisan efforts are emerging. Representatives Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and Scott Peters (D-Calif.) have introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act, which would prevent lawmakers from receiving pay if they fail to pass a budget. “If Congress can’t fulfill its most basic duty to pass a budget, it shouldn’t get paid, and Members of Congress shouldn’t get back-pay either,” Huizenga asserted.
As the political impasse continues, the impact of the shutdown is felt across the nation, affecting vital federal programs and services. The urgency for resolution has never been more critical, as Congress faces mounting pressure to act decisively.
Stay tuned for further developments on this evolving story. The implications of these proposed pay cuts could reshape how Congress handles future shutdowns and the responsibilities of lawmakers to their constituents.
