Senators vote to withhold their own pay during government shutdowns

WASHINGTON — Senators unanimously approved a measure Thursday to withhold their own pay during federal government shutdowns.

The resolution, offered by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., passed by voice vote and takes effect after the 2026 midterm elections. It does not need to pass the House or be signed into law.

“During any period in which a Government shutdown is in effect, the Secretary of the Senate shall disburse and hold any payments otherwise required to be made with respect to such period for the compensation of each Senator,” it states.

The measure includes a section stating that, just like federal government employees, senators will receive full back pay “as soon as practicable after the date on which the Government shutdown ends.”

It comes after repeated and record-long government shutdowns over the last 16 months as Congress failed to agree on funding bills, causing extended partisan finger-pointing.