Sens. John Kennedy, R-La., and other senators will not receive their salaries during any future government shutdown under a resolution that passed the Senate by voice vote Thursday.
The measure requires the Secretary of the Senate to withhold pay disbursements for senators while a shutdown is in effect. Like federal employees affected by shutdowns, however, senators would receive full back pay as soon as practicable after government operations resume.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called the resolution a commonsense measure that demonstrates Congress can lead by example. "If we're going to ask the American people and federal employees to bear the burden of a government shutdown, senators should face the same consequences," Cornyn said on the Senate floor.
Conservative commentators have largely praised the move as long overdue. The Heritage Foundation called it "a modest but meaningful acknowledgment that Congress bears responsibility for budget failures." FreedomWorks issued a statement saying the measure shows lawmakers are finally subject to the same financial pressures they impose on others.
What the Left Is Saying
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the resolution was a step toward accountability but noted it does not address the broader impacts on federal workers and contractors who have gone without pay during shutdowns. "This is a symbolic gesture that shows senators are willing to share in the pain they sometimes inflict," Murphy said in a statement. "But we still need to protect the 2 million federal employees who have no choice but to weather these political standoffs."
Progressive groups including Public Citizen echoed similar concerns. The organization called for broader reforms to prevent shutdowns rather than just adjusting compensation for lawmakers. "Lawmakers can afford to wait for back pay," Public Citizen said in a statement. "Tens of thousands of federal workers cannot make mortgage payments or buy groceries on promises."
What the Numbers Show
Senators currently earn an annual salary of $174,000. Under the resolution, pay would be withheld starting after the 2026 midterm elections, meaning the earliest a senator could lose pay during a shutdown would be in early 2027 if Congress fails to pass funding bills.
The Senate has passed multiple continuing resolutions to avoid shutdowns since January 2025, but budget disputes have led to three brief gaps in federal funding totaling 11 days. Federal employees during those periods received back pay after appropriations were restored.
The Bottom Line
The resolution does not require House approval or presidential signature because it only governs Senate administrative procedures under the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. This means it could become law before the 2026 elections despite taking effect afterward.
Critics note the measure does not affect House members and applies only to future shutdowns, leaving current disputes unaffected. Supporters argue it creates a financial incentive for Congress to avoid shutdowns that did not previously exist. The resolution's unanimous passage reflects rare bipartisan agreement on congressional pay practices.