Sen. John Kennedy’s Proposal During Government Shutdown
Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana has announced plans to introduce two bills aimed at withholding salaries for members of Congress amid the ongoing government shutdown.
These bills, named the “No Shutdown Paychecks for Politicians Act” and the “Withhold Paychecks for Lawmakers During Shutdown Act,” were reported by FOX News. Kennedy expressed that his legislation is designed to make Congress experience similar hardships as federal workers—like air traffic controllers—who are currently going unpaid.
Kennedy remarked, “I don’t see a lack of payment as a negotiation tool. This bill will make sure Congress shares the burden with those we are failing to pay: our military, air traffic controllers, and federal employees. If we can’t fulfill our duties to fund the government, we don’t deserve a paycheck. It’s straightforward.”
His first proposal, the Shutdown Payroll for Politicians Act, mandates that Congress members will “go without pay” during each day of the shutdown. Kennedy’s second bill, the Congressional Salary Withholding During Shutdown Act, seeks to sidestep the 27th Amendment by putting members’ salaries “in escrow” until after the elections in November 2026.
However, Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution states, “Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall receive such compensation for their services as may be established by law and paid from the Treasury of the United States.”
Furthermore, Article I clarifies:
Members of the Senate and Representatives shall receive compensation for their services as provided by law and paid from the Treasury of the United States. They shall be free from arrest while attending sessions and in traveling to and from each House, except in cases of treason, felonies, and breaches of the peace.
Additionally, the 27th Amendment states:
No law altering the compensation of senators and members of the House of Representatives shall take effect until the election of the members of the House of Representatives intervenes.
Representative Brian Still from Wisconsin is reportedly backing a similar bill in the House. He commented that if U.S. military personnel and other essential employees are required to work without pay during the shutdown, then “members of Congress shouldn’t be compensated either.”
During a recent Senate floor address, Kennedy announced his intention to introduce the two bills on Thursday. He also commented on the current state of the government shutdown, predicting it might last “for a while longer,” despite talks of a possible bipartisan agreement to resolve it.
“Today marks day 36,” Kennedy stated, recognizing the speculation surrounding the shutdown’s end. “We’ve been on the brink of resolution in the past week, but I suspect we’re not quite there yet. I hope I’m mistaken, yet I doubt we’re nearing a conclusion.”
He further noted the dire economic situation for federal employees, sharing alarming statistics about how they have collectively borrowed $365 million during these 36 days just to manage basic expenses. “Our military members are not fully compensated, and air traffic controllers are also unpaid,” he added. “Those on SNAP are only receiving partial payments.”
As the shutdown progresses, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun suspending flights at major airports like Newark Liberty International and Los Angeles International due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are working without pay.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that ongoing closures could lead to necessary restrictions on certain airspace if the situation doesn’t improve soon.
Billionaire Timothy Mellon, a supporter of former President Trump, previously donated $130 million to help ensure U.S. military personnel are paid. Before this, Trump instructed Army Secretary Pete Hegseth to utilize all resources to guarantee military compensation by October 15.
The shutdown has also impacted Congressional employees who were alerted they wouldn’t receive paychecks by the end of October, in addition to affecting around 42 million Americans reliant on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
