U.S. Senate Rules Committee advances Kennedy legislation to withhold senators’ pay during government shutdowns

www.senate.gov

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Rules and Administration Committee last week unanimously advanced Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) legislation to withhold U.S. senators’ pay during government shutdowns – clearing the way for a vote by the full U.S. Senate.

“If the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history taught us anything, it’s that senators don’t deserve a dime from the American taxpayer until they do their jobs. When federal workers, our troops, and border agents don’t get paid during a government shutdown, U.S. Senators shouldn’t be any different. This unanimous Rules Committee vote to withhold senators’ paychecks during shutdowns is a major win for common sense. Passing my resolution is the right thing to do – pure and simple – and the Senate ought to move it across the finish line quickly,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy’s resolution would take effect after the November 2026 election. As outlined in his legislation, the Secretary of the Senate would place senators’ paychecks in a vault during any federal government shutdown and release those checks only after the government reopens. If passed, the resolution would remain in effect until repealed.

In November 2025, Kennedy introduced early versions of this legislation during the historic 43-day government shutdown and fought on the U.S. Senate floor for their passage. 

When the government reopened, Kennedy vowed to continue pushing the issue. He brought the matter to the U.S. Senate Rules Committee and ultimately secured the committee’s approval.

Kennedy’s legislation sends a straightforward message: If Congress cannot agree to keep the government open, senators shouldn’t collect a full paycheck.

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