Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) has illuminated the unsettling priority Congress places on its own paycheck during government shutdowns. After the longest shutdown in American history—a grueling 41 days—Kennedy voiced his anger over the hypocrisy of lawmakers collecting their salaries while federal workers went unpaid. “It’s the height of hypocrisy that members of Congress were paid through the government shutdown, but our military and air traffic controllers were left twisting in the wind,” he stated passionately.
During the recent standoff, nearly three million federal employees had to deal with furloughs or work without pay. Critical personnel, including military members and air traffic controllers, continued to fulfill their duties without compensation, while all 535 members of Congress received their $174,000 salaries without interruption. The 27th Amendment ensured that their pay remained intact, even during the contentious negotiations that they helped prolong.
Kennedy’s frustration was palpable as he emphasized, “We were getting paid, but our staff wasn’t. Our air traffic controllers, our military—I thought it was the height of hypocrisy.” He attempted to address this imbalance with legislation aimed at suspending congressional pay during shutdowns. His proposed “No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act” and the “Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act” would hold lawmakers accountable, echoing a broader Republican movement to reform pay practices in Washington.
Other senators, like Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), have taken similar steps. Scott introduced the “No Budget, No Pay Act,” tying congressional pay to the passage of a full budget. Moreno proposed a daily tax on congressional salaries during shutdowns—“If Congress can’t do the bare minimum, we don’t deserve a paycheck,” he asserted, putting the emphasis squarely on accountability.
Despite this push for change, these accountability measures failed to gain traction in the Senate, blocked by procedural hurdles and the complexities of the 27th Amendment. Nonetheless, a growing number of senators, at least 55, voluntarily declined or donated their pay during the shutdown, including both Republicans and Democrats. While this signifies a degree of bipartisanship, it remains a voluntary choice, undermining the notion of shared sacrifice.
The stark contrast between the financial stability of Congress and the struggles of federal workers who missed paychecks cannot be overstated. Many workers reported difficulties in managing basic expenses like rent and groceries, while lawmakers faced no such dire consequences. This disparity raises important questions about fairness in government and the effectiveness of proposals aimed at reforming congressional accountability.
As discussions surrounding the continuing resolution unfolded, other tensions simmered, particularly relating to healthcare issues. Progressive Democrats expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of provisions regarding Affordable Care Act tax credits. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the resolution for overlooking significant healthcare needs, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed these concerns. In contrast, House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that such votes could occur once the shutdown was resolved.
Kennedy’s focus on fairness and accountability emphasizes the need for elected officials to experience the consequences of their inaction. “My only disappointment in the deal that we have,” he said, “I strongly wanted a provision added that senators cannot be paid during a shutdown. It’s called shared sacrifice. It’s called leadership.” This sentiment resonates with many Americans who feel the weight of governmental dysfunction but see little change from their representatives.
Despite the failure of these proposals to clear the legislative hurdles, the underlying message remains clear: lawmakers should not insulate themselves from the fallout of government shutdowns. Kennedy’s determination to pursue accountability demonstrates a growing frustration toward an unaccountable Washington culture—one that continues to draw scrutiny as budget deadlines loom.
As Congress wrestles with its responsibilities, the debate over pay during shutdowns reflects a larger conversation about fairness and accountability. “It’s time members of Congress feel what the American people feel when we don’t do our jobs,” Kennedy concluded, underscoring the urgent need for reform. How Congress addresses this issue ahead of future funding deadlines remains to be seen, yet it is clear that the outcry for accountability isn’t fading anytime soon.
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