Frustration Among GOP Lawmakers Over Pay During Government Shutdown

On Monday, several Republican lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction that a proposed measure to withhold congressional pay during federal fund delays was not included in the agreement to end the prolonged 41-day government shutdown.

This unprecedented shutdown left thousands of government employees, including military personnel, federal law enforcement officers, and air traffic controllers, working without pay, while lawmakers continued to receive their substantial salaries.

Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) criticized the situation, stating, “Democrats have shown they are willing to create the longest government shutdown in history while pocketing their paychecks and ignoring millions of hardworking Americans, including military and federal employees.” He added that Democrats had indicated they might not hesitate to do so again.

With Democratic senators consistently blocking Republican attempts to reopen the government, Scott called for swift passage of the No-Appropriation, No-Pay Act. This legislation would prevent congressional members from being paid until both chambers confirm a budget resolution and finalize regular appropriations for the fiscal year.

Currently, this bill is with a committee.

“It’s total hypocrisy,” Scott emphasized, frustrated that Congress members continue to receive pay while military and federal employees suffer. “If we can’t fund the government, lawmakers shouldn’t get paid. End of story.”

Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) reflected similar sentiments, noting his discontent that colleagues like Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) obstructed efforts to suspend lawmakers’ pay during the shutdown.

Appearing on Fox News, Kennedy stated, “I wish there had been a clause that prohibited senators from being paid during the government shutdown.” He further remarked, “It’s about shared sacrifice. Our staff went unpaid while we got our salaries.”

Members of Congress earn an annual salary of $174,000, which is considered quite high, particularly for leadership roles. This remuneration is protected by the Constitution, which mandates that “Senators and Representatives shall be compensated for their services by law, paid out of the Treasury of the United States.” Additionally, the 27th Amendment restricts Congress from altering its members’ salaries during the current term.

Kennedy has introduced the “No Shutdown Payrolls for Politicians Act” to ensure members of Congress do not receive pay during shutdowns. He also created the “Suspend Payrolls During a Government Shutdown Act,” which addresses constitutional issues by putting pay on hold in escrow until after the November 2026 elections.

“I didn’t get paid, but neither did my staff, or the air traffic controllers, or military personnel. It’s just the height of hypocrisy,” Kennedy lamented, vowing to continue pushing for change despite the setbacks he faced.

Reports indicate that at least 55 out of 100 senators did not receive pay during the shutdown, as detailed by a recent ABC News report. The findings came from responses gathered from 26 Republicans, 28 Democrats, and one independent, showing their salaries were excluded.

“This situation is unacceptable and must come to an end,” stated Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who argued that essential government workers are suffering while Congress continues to get paid.

Moreno’s Government Shutdown Act, which is currently with a committee after being introduced last month, aims to penalize lawmakers who impose daily taxes during a government shutdown. He criticized Democrats, particularly Hakeem Jeffries, for wanting to collect salaries despite shutting down the government, labeling this behavior as absurd. “If Congress can’t fulfill its basic responsibilities, we don’t deserve a paycheck,” Moreno concluded.