A growing number of lawmakers from both parties have decided to forgo their paychecks as the government shutdown continues. The federal government has been closed for nearly a week, following repeated rejections by Senate Democrats of a Republican plan aimed at funding government agencies through November 21. Notable Republicans, including Reps. Chip Roy from Texas, Ashley Hinson from Iowa, and Tom Barrett from Michigan, have formally requested that their pay be withheld during this shutdown.
Democrats are not sitting idle either. Reps. Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey and Lou Correa from California have also asked for the same pay suspension. However, they face a significant limitation. Federal law mandates that lawmakers must be compensated for their service, as enshrined in Article I of the Constitution. It states, “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.” In addition, the 27th Amendment prevents any changes to congressional pay until after the next election cycle.
Most House and Senate lawmakers currently receive an annual salary of $174,000—a figure that has remained unchanged since 2009. Congressional leaders can earn more than this base amount. A source familiar with the situation explained to Fox News Digital that while Congress members can opt to suspend their salaries during a government shutdown, they must receive that backpay when government operations resume.
On the other hand, Rep. Joe Morelle from New York, who holds the position of top Democrat on the Committee for House Administration, noted that paychecks could be deposited into a separate account for those lawmakers who choose to withhold theirs. He explained that “it’s an administrative way of withholding pay for people who choose to.”
When a government shutdown occurs, congressional staffers automatically miss their paychecks if their pay period falls during that time. However, like lawmakers, staffers will also see their backpay disbursed once funding is restored. A few lawmakers have taken the extra step of announcing they will donate their paychecks for the duration of the shutdown. For instance, Senator Ashley Moody from Florida stated, “Each day the government remains closed, I will be donating my salary to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which provides help to vulnerable populations who may be impacted by this reckless choice.”
This government shutdown underscores a deepening divide in Congress, illustrating the ongoing struggles and political maneuvering aimed at either resolving or furthering funding conflicts. As lawmakers navigate this challenging landscape, issues surrounding compensation, personnel paychecks, and the implications of a prolonged government shutdown remain at the forefront of discussions.
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