Senators vote to withhold their own pay during government shutdowns

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

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The resolution, proposed 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 withhold all payments that would otherwise be required to be made during such period for the compensation of each Senator,” it states.

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

This follows repeated, record-length government shutdowns over the past 16 months as Congress failed to agree on funding bills, sparking widespread partisan criticism.