Sen. John Kennedy authored an op-ed emphasizing that members of Congress should not receive pay during government shutdowns, advocating for shared sacrifice.
John Kennedy promises to support legislation that would prevent members of Congress from receiving pay during government shutdowns.
Occurrences
Passing my resolution is the right thing to do—pure and simple—and the Senate ought to move it across the finish line quickly,” said Kennedy. Kennedy’s resolution would take effect after the November 2026 election. As outlined in his legislation, the Secretary of the Senate would place senators’ paychecks in a vault during any federal government shutdown and release those checks only after the government reopens. If passed, the resolution would remain in effect until repealed.
So, starting with my first bill, which would say, members of Congress can’t be paid and don’t get back pay even after we end the shutdown. That’s called the No Shutdown Paychecks to Politicians Act. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of my bill.
Tomorrow, I will be bringing two bills before the Senate. They both have to do with the shutdown and congressional pay. The first bill is the No Shutdown Paychecks [to Politicians] Act. The second bill is the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act. The first bill would provide that, as long as we’re shut down ... no member of Congress can be paid. And the money will not be reimbursed at a later date or repaid at a later date. The second bill, to address any 27th Amendment concerns, will say, 'During a shutdown, members of Congress will not receive their pay, but their pay will be escrowed, and they will receive it after the government is opened back up.' ... So, I’ll offer these bills tomorrow, and people can vote yea, or they can vote nay, but what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Sen. John Kennedy attempted to pass his resolution to withhold senators’ pay during government shutdowns via unanimous consent, but Senate Democrats objected and blocked the resolution.
The Senate passed Kennedy’s resolution to withhold pay from senators during government shutdowns.
My resolution will ensure that senators aren’t the only people receiving their paychecks during a government shutdown.
“Senators shouldn’t be paid, either.”
Evidence
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Sen. John Kennedy said he introduced two pieces of legislation that would ensure Members of Congress do not receive a paycheck during a shutdown; he said, "My bills ensure Congress feels the same pain ... If we can't do our jobs and fund the government, we don't deserve a paycheck."
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Congress.gov shows S.3057 was "Introduced in Senate (10/27/2025)" and that "Mr. Kennedy introduced the following bill" to reduce the annual rate of pay of Members of Congress if a government shutdown occurs.
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Congress.gov shows S.Res.526 was "Introduced in Senate (12/03/2025)" and that "Mr. Kennedy submitted the following resolution" to withhold senators' pay during a government shutdown.
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Congress.gov lists S.Res.526 as sponsored by Sen. Kennedy and notes that on 12/17/2025 it was reported by Senator McConnell without amendment and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders, but the tracker still says the bill has the status Introduced.
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Latest Action: Senate - 12/03/2025 Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. Tracker: This bill has the status Introduced. All Actions lists only the referral action on 12/03/2025.
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Kennedy attempted to pass his resolution via unanimous consent, but Senate Democrats objected and blocked the resolution.
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AP reported that senators unanimously approved Kennedy's resolution withholding senators' pay during government shutdowns, with pay held by the secretary of the Senate until funding resumes.
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Legislative Business listed S.Res. 526 (Sen. Kennedy), "A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs," with the action: "Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Voice Vote."
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GovInfo lists S. Res. 526 as "Agreed to Senate (ATS)," with last action date May 14, 2026, and identifies John Kennedy of Louisiana among the sponsors. The action summary says it was referred to Rules and Administration, then "Considered and agreed to."
Assessments
Kennedy fulfilled the promise in federal office during the same Senate term by sponsoring and materially advancing shutdown-pay legislation. His S.Res.526, withholding senators' pay during government shutdowns, was considered and agreed to by the Senate on May 14, 2026, and he also introduced broader member-pay legislation. Although the enacted Senate resolution applies to senators rather than the entire House and Senate, the promise was to support such legislation, and Kennedy did so with a measure that passed in his chamber.
Kennedy did more than announce support: he introduced shutdown-pay legislation, pushed it through the Senate, and the Senate unanimously approved his resolution to withhold senators' pay during shutdowns. That satisfies the core promise to support legislation aimed at preventing congressional pay during shutdowns, even though the measure appears limited to Senate pay rather than a broader congressional rule.
Kennedy promised to support legislation preventing members of Congress from receiving pay during government shutdowns. During his same Senate term, he introduced S.3057 and S.Res.526 on that subject, publicly advocated for them, advanced the resolution through committee/calendar steps, and attempted unanimous consent. Although the measure did not ultimately become law and was blocked, the specific promise was to support such legislation, not necessarily to secure enactment, so the support commitment was fulfilled.
The promise was framed as supporting legislation to prevent congressional pay during shutdowns, not necessarily securing enactment. During the same Senate term, Kennedy introduced S.3057, the Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act, and S.Res.526 to withhold senators' pay during shutdowns, and publicly advocated for them. The legislation had not become law, but his promised action of supporting such legislation was fulfilled.