Withholding Senators' Pay During Shutdowns

Full Title:
A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs.

Summary#

This Senate resolution would require the Secretary of the Senate to hold (not pay out) the regular compensation that would otherwise go to each Senator during any period defined as a "Government shutdown," which the text defines as a lapse in appropriations for one or more federal agencies or departments. The Secretary must release the held payments to each Senator as soon as practicable after the shutdown ends. The rule would take effect the day after the November 2026 regularly scheduled general election. The resolution was introduced in the Senate on December 3, 2025, sponsored by Senators John Kennedy, John Cornyn, Ashley Moody, Katie Britt, and Susan Collins, and was agreed to in the Senate without amendment by voice vote.

What it means for you#

  • The change applies to the pay of Senators only. It directs the Senate office that handles pay to hold a Senator's pay during any lapse in appropriations and to release it after the lapse ends.
  • It goes into effect the day after the November 2026 general election.
  • The text does not mention staff pay, other officials, or other financial rules.

Expenses#

No publicly available information about costs or fiscal effects is included in the resolution text or the provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information about proponents' stated reasons or arguments is included in the provided text or metadata.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information about opponents' stated reasons or arguments is included in the provided text or metadata.