Senate Passes Measure to Withhold Pay During Future Government Shutdowns

The Senate unanimously approved a resolution to withhold paychecks from its members during future government shutdowns. The funds would be released once Congress passes legislation to reopen the government. Sen. , introduced the measure. He said he would have preferred a stronger version that permanently forfeits pay and bars members from leaving Washington during a shutdown.

The Senate has faced two funding lapses in the past year. One lasted 43 days and the other lasted 76 days. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees, including workers at the Department of Homeland Security, went without pay during those periods.

Reactions from Senators Sen.

Said the change signals that lawmakers share the burden with unpaid federal workers. He noted that some members are independently wealthy and their congressional salary is a small part of their income. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said the resolution could help rebuild public confidence in Congress.

Sen. , said lawmakers should not hold federal employees hostage over funding disputes. Lankford also referenced separate legislation that would automatically extend temporary funding for two weeks if appropriations bills are not completed on time.