Senators approve withholding their own pay during government shutdowns
Summary
The U.S. Senate approved a plan to hold back senators' pay during government shutdowns. This rule will start after the November 3 election and aims to make lawmakers face financial consequences when the government stops working due to budget disputes.Key Facts
- Senators voted unanimously to withhold their own pay during government shutdowns.
- The pay would be kept by the Senate secretary until government funding is restored.
- The measure takes effect the day after the November 3, 2026, general election.
- Recent shutdowns caused long funding lapses, including a 76-day partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security.
- The longest full federal government shutdown lasted 43 days in the last year.
- The U.S. Constitution requires lawmakers to be paid even during shutdowns.
- Some senators, like Lindsey Graham, have proposed constitutional amendments to stop pay during shutdowns, but these are harder to pass.
- The resolution applies only to the Senate, with no similar rule currently for the House of Representatives.
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