Lawmakers Propose Bills to Cut Pay During Government Shutdowns

U.S. lawmakers are taking steps to align their compensation with the hardships faced by federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2023, after Senate Democrats filibustered a Republican funding bill. As a result, hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed without pay, while others, deemed “essential,” are working without compensation. Despite this, members of Congress continue to receive their salaries, prompting several lawmakers to propose legislation to make their pay contingent on the status of government operations.

In a significant move, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has introduced the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act. This bill seeks to reduce the annual salary of all Congress members by the number of days the government is closed. Similarly, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has proposed a constitutional amendment that would ensure lawmakers receive no pay during shutdowns. The forfeited salaries would be directed to the U.S. Treasury to help mitigate the national debt. Graham stated, “If Members of Congress had to forfeit their pay during government shutdowns, there would be fewer shutdowns and they would end quicker.”

In the House of Representatives, several bills echo this sentiment. Representative Mike Kennedy of Utah has introduced the No Work, No Pay Act of 2025, alongside Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota with her No Pay for Disarray Act, and Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, who has also proposed a constitutional amendment to suspend pay during shutdowns. Currently, most senators and representatives earn an annual salary of $174,000, as per the Congressional Research Service. If these proposals are enacted, lawmakers could potentially lose over $1,000 for each workday during a shutdown.

Taking a broader approach, Representative Frederica Wilson of Florida has introduced the Government Shutdown Salary Suspension Act, which would extend pay suspension to the president and vice president during government shutdowns. This legislation aims to hold all branches of government accountable for their roles in the shutdown process.

President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with the stalemate, particularly as the shutdown starts to impact vital federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In a message to Republicans, he urged them to eliminate the filibuster, saying, “Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!”

Negotiations to resolve the shutdown have yet to yield results, with both Democratic and Republican leaders appearing to adopt a strategy of waiting each other out. Democrats are pushing for funding agreements to include an extension of the pandemic-era expansion of the Obamacare Premium Tax Credit, which is set to expire on December 31, 2023. Conversely, Republicans accuse Senate Democrats of “holding the government hostage.”

Despite the ongoing division, some bipartisan initiatives aim to prevent future shutdowns. Representatives Bill Huizenga of Michigan and Scott Peters of California have introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act. This bill proposes to withhold salaries from lawmakers during lapses in appropriations. Huizenga remarked, “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.”

As discussions continue, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to take decisive action that reflects the gravity of the situation and the impact on federal employees and the public at large.