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The Senate has taken a significant step toward preventing lawmakers from receiving pay during government shutdowns. On Wednesday (May 13), the Senate unanimously advanced a resolution proposed by Senator John Kennedy, R-La., which aims to withhold pay from senators during future shutdowns. The resolution, described by Kennedy as a measure of "shared sacrifice," seeks to address the optics of lawmakers being paid while federal workers go without.
The resolution, which applies only to the Senate, directs the secretary of the Senate to withhold senators' pay until a government shutdown is resolved. A rank-and-file senator earns $174,000 annually, while party leaders can earn over $193,000. The measure is set to take effect after the 2026 elections.
The resolution has bipartisan support, with both Democrats and Republicans backing it despite previous shutdowns being used as political leverage.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., expressed support for the resolution, calling it a good policy and an "additional incentive" to avoid future shutdowns. Thune told the Washington Examiner that he is committed to getting a vote on the resolution, highlighting its potential to encourage lawmakers to find solutions before shutdowns occur.
The resolution has faced some opposition in the past, with attempts to pass it by unanimous consent being blocked by senators such as Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. However, it has now cleared the Senate Rules Committee unanimously, indicating strong bipartisan support.
The resolution's advancement comes amid ongoing discussions about government funding and the potential for future shutdowns. Other proposals, such as the Shutdown Fairness Act by Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wis., which would ensure federal workers receive pay during a shutdown, are also being considered. The Senate's move to advance Kennedy's resolution marks a significant step in addressing the issue of lawmaker pay during government shutdowns.