Senators unanimously approved a resolution Thursday to withhold their pay during future government shutdowns, marking a bipartisan effort to address the increasing frequency and duration of federal closures.
Key Takeaways
Senators unanimously approved a resolution to withhold their pay during government shutdowns. The bipartisan measure aims to make federal closures financially painful for lawmakers after recent record-breaking impasses.
- Senators voted unanimously to withhold pay during shutdowns
- Pay would be released once funding is restored
- Measure sponsored by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.
- Bipartisan support follows frequent government shutdowns
The measure, sponsored by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), aims to make shutdowns financially painful for lawmakers after recent record-breaking impasses. According to PBS, senators' pay would be withheld by the secretary of the Senate whenever a government shutdown affects one or more agencies and released once funding is restored.
The bipartisan support comes as federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who argue that there should be consequences when Congress fails in its basic legislative duties. Sen. Kennedy emphasized the importance of holding lawmakers accountable, stating, "Shutting down government should not be our default solution to our refusal to work out our issues and our differences."
This resolution reflects a growing consensus among senators that shutdowns are disruptive and costly for both federal employees and the public. The measure is seen as a step toward ensuring that lawmakers have a greater incentive to reach agreements on funding bills in a timely manner.
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