Senators vote to withhold their own paychecks during government shutdowns
"This is about shared sacrifice," said Sen. John Kennedy, the Louisiana Republican who wrote the resolution.
Zachary SchermeleWASHINGTON – During future government shutdowns, senators will have their paychecks paused just like thousands of other federal employees.
In a May 14 vote, the Senate resoundingly approved a measure to temporarily pause members' own salaries when funding for one or more agencies lapses because of congressional inaction. The resolution passed basically unanimously by voice vote, with no lawmakers objecting to it.
Even though many senators are already independently wealthy, the legislation's success represented a rare point of bipartisan progress amid ever-worsening Washington gridlock. Over the past year, shutdowns have repeatedly broken records, leaving Americans unable to travel, critical services suspended and government workers across the country unable to pay their bills.
"I've worked hard to get the votes to pass this," Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican who proposed the resolution, said on the Senate floor May 13. "This is about shared sacrifice."
Rank-and-file senators make $174,000 per year. Senate leaders, including the majority and minority leaders, earn $193,400 annually. There are 100 senators in Congress.
The measure only needed to pass the Senate and does not require the president's signature. It also does not apply to the House of Representatives' more than 400 members, who also make a base rate of $174,000 per year.
Under Kennedy's legislation, senators would receive back pay after shutdowns end. The resolution will take effect after November's midterm elections.
Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at [email protected]. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.