As the government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, a stark contrast emerges between congressional lawmakers and other government employees.
While many federal workers continue their duties without pay, members of Congress have been receiving their salaries uninterrupted. In response to this disparity, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has taken a decisive step by introducing two legislative proposals aimed at suspending congressional pay during such shutdowns.
The first of these proposals, aptly named the No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act, seeks to halt congressional salaries during any period when the government is not operational. The bill stipulates, If on any day during a pay period a Government shutdown is in effect, the payroll administrator of each House of Congress shall exclude from the payments otherwise required to be made with respect to that pay period for the compensation of each Member of Congress.
Kennedy, in a press release, emphasized the importance of shared sacrifice, stating, I dont see missing paychecks or empty dinner plates as leverage or bargaining chips. My bills ensure Congress feels the same pain as the folks were failing to payour troops, air traffic controllers, and federal workers. If we cant do our jobs and fund the government, we dont deserve a paycheckplain and simple.
According to The Post Millennial, the constitutional framework presents a challenge to Kennedy's initiative. Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution mandates that Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.
Furthermore, the 27th Amendment asserts, No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. To navigate these constitutional provisions, Kennedy's second bill, the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act, proposes placing lawmakers' salaries in escrow until after the November 2026 elections.
Senator Kennedy expressed his frustration on the Senate floor, highlighting the prolonged nature of the shutdown. Were on day 36, he remarked, Weve been that close for a week, frankly. I hope Im wrong in saying this, but, I dont think were really that close. I wish we were, and I hope we are, but I think were going to be in the shutdown a while longer.
He further elaborated on the financial strain faced by federal employees, noting, In the meantime, none of our staffs are being paid. No federal employees are being paid. I got some numbers in this morning that federal workers have had to borrow $365 million so far during this 36-day shutdown in order just to pay their rent. Our military is only being paid partially. Our air traffic controllers are not being paid. People who receive SNAP payments are only being partially paid.
The ongoing shutdown has persisted for over a month, with a significant impasse between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have resisted Republican efforts to reopen the government through a continuing resolution that would maintain funding at standard levels.
Meanwhile, influential voices such as The Washington Post editorial board and the largest federal workers union have urged Senate Democrats to collaborate with Republicans in passing a clean continuing resolution. This stalemate underscores the broader debate over fiscal responsibility and governance, as the nation grapples with the consequences of political gridlock.
Login