In a rare display of bipartisanship, United States senators have voted unanimously to withhold their own salaries during any future government shutdowns. The resolution, introduced by Louisiana Republican John Kennedy, stipulates that the paused funds will be disbursed once the shutdown concludes. However, due to constitutional constraints, the measure will only take effect after the upcoming midterm elections in November.
Senator Kennedy's Remarks on the Senate Floor
Speaking passionately on the Senate floor, Senator Kennedy lambasted his colleagues for the two most recent government shutdowns, stating, 'We ought to hide our heads in a bag.' He emphasized the need to end the recurring pattern of shutdowns, saying, 'It's got to stop. Shutting down government — it should not be our default solution to our refusal to work out our issues and our differences.'
Kennedy expressed concern that Democrats might attempt another shutdown before the elections to create chaos and influence the midterm outcomes. He initially sought to make the resolution effective immediately but was constrained by the 27th Amendment, which prohibits any law altering congressional salaries from taking effect until after the next House election.
The Most Recent Government Shutdowns
The most recent shutdown, affecting the Department of Homeland Security, lasted 76 days and ended in late January. Prior to that, a 43-day shutdown in 2023 occurred when Democrats allowed funding to lapse over expired healthcare subsidies. These events have heightened tensions on Capitol Hill.
Kennedy's resolution applies exclusively to senators, not members of the House of Representatives. When asked why the House was excluded, Kennedy remarked, 'The House's business is the House's business,' noting a 'very strong undercurrent of animosity among some of my friends in the House.' He likened the inter-chamber friction to 'two kids fighting in the back of a minivan.'
Mechanism and Legislative History
Since the resolution governs internal Senate procedures rather than enacting a law, it does not require approval from the House or the president. Kennedy first introduced a version of this measure in November 2024 during the earlier shutdown. He attempted to pass it by unanimous consent during the recent DHS shutdown, but Hawaii Democrat Brian Schatz objected without explanation.
The resolution finally passed on Thursday by unanimous consent, following a 99-0 vote on Wednesday. Nebraska Republican Pete Ricketts did not vote, likely due to his absence after the primary election on Tuesday.
Kennedy's Statement on Shared Sacrifice
In a statement, Kennedy emphasized the principle of shared sacrifice: 'If senators are going to vote to shut down the government and prevent millions of federal workers from getting paid, they ought to have the same skin in the game. My resolution will ensure that senators aren't the only people receiving their paychecks during a government shutdown.'
